Starting in 1925 as Frontier Park, it quickly became a hit across the Midwest with a dirt track. The 1989 season saw Hawkeye Downs become Iowa’s first weekly paved oval, with paved pits, an enclosed tech building, MUSCO lighting, and many other outstanding features. Hawkeye Downs continues to be the only full-time weekly asphalt track in Iowa. Hawkeye Downs has been a popular venue for regional and national racing series, including ASA, IMCA, NASCAR, ARCA Midwest Tour, and the American Indycar Series. Events such as the Yankee Classic have run here in the past. Today, Hawkeye Downs is Eastern Iowa’s premier 1/2 and 1/4 asphalt racing venue, along with 35,000 sq. feet of Expo Center space. They offer weekly racing, trade shows, meetings, conventions, concerts, consumer shows, auctions, weddings, and private events and attract more than 100,000 visitors annually. At the start of 2020, Common Ground Capital purchased the entire 92-acre property the Hawkeye Downs’ expo center and racetrack currently sit on. The racetrack and expo center is leased and operated by Hawkeye Downs, Inc., a nonprofit organization run by a board of volunteers. The remaining property is utilized by various organizations and managed by Common Ground Capital. Hawkeye Downs has long been considered the crowned jewel of short-track racing in the Midwest and remains an excellent resource for quality outdoor and indoor family entertainment!
Expo Center
Public Events
For decades, Hawkeye Downs has hosted events of all kinds in their Expo Center, including:
- pool & spa shows
- gun shows
- craft shows
- home shows
- RV shows and more! A1 Bed Bug Exterminator Cedar Rapids
Private Events
They have plenty of space to hold private events such as:
- Weddings
- business conferences
- family reunions
- religious celebrations and more!
Rental Information
North Hall (20,000 sq. feet) and South Hall (15,000 sq. feet) can be combined to provide you with 35,000 sq. feet of space. Plenty of free parking is also available for your convenience. Each rental of the area is unique, so pricing and services vary. Contact the management to discuss hosting your next event at Hawkeye Downs.
Local Restaurants
- Cancun Mexican Grill & Bar is located at 365 33rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Checkers Tavern & Eatery is located at 3120 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
- El Bajio Mexican Restaurant is located at 555 Gateway Pl SW A, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- The Hide-Out Bistro & Grill is located at 525 33rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Los Compadres is located at 448 33rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Check out other attractions like Indian Creek Nature Center