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Open wheel weekend in Iowa

I knew I was in trouble as soon as I reached Osceola.  It goes with the territory when you set for a full weekend of racing, Mother Nature may have other ideas.  I left Kansas City under clear blue skies and 90 degree temperatures, and by the time I rolled into Des Moines, threatening clouds and 70 degrees.

Not a good sign for the first of two nights of midgets at one of my favorite tracks, Knoxville Raceway.  Could I make Newton before rain wiped out the entire Friday practice at Iowa Speedway?

 I did see the Indy Cars go at speed before the storms moved in, so the day was not entirely lost.

Many have compared this new track to Richmond, but don't expect Friday's top runners Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon to agree.

The two Ganassi drivers used Kentucky Speedway as a model, not so much because of the layout, but more about the smooth transitions into and out of the corners.

Passing may be hard, but the field should be tighter.  Tells me, pit stops will determine the winner of Sunday's Iowa Corn Indy 250.

Before we get to Sunday, there's some midgets on dirt that need attention.  Not much strategy and definitely no pit stops to worry about in Knoxville.  Just go fast.

Then, just a half-hour back up Highway 14 for some really fast racing.  Great to spend a weekend at home, but, this time,  I'd rather do it with some sunshine.