Sports : Turning Laps for the Community; how Benton Co. Speedway helped in 2010

1st Autism Awareness Night and bicycle races took place August 29 at the Benton County Speedway

2nd Annual BCS coloring contest winners were all smiles as they collected a trophy, and gift pak

Over 200 loads of dirt, new tile and drainage ditches are some of the improvements for 2011 races

Improvements on the track pit area continue, including adding dirt and preparing new drainage ditch

The 2010 Benton County Speedway racing season wrapped up with another successful year for both racers and community organizations.

Over $4,000 was raised for non-profit organizations during Sunday night racing events, including over $400 for the Vinton Area Dollars for Scholars, almost $600 for the Family Nurturing Council and over $2,200 for Iowa’s Bravest.

The Vinton Area Dollars for Scholars and the Family Nurturing Council raised money with 50-50 drawings. Tickets were sold for $1 each, and the winner was given half of all money collected. The other half was kept by the organization to continue their mission within the community.

Iowa’s Bravest raised money during season championship night when six selected drivers competed to fill their helmets with money for the cause. Over $2,200 was raised and will be used to help purchase and ship holiday care packages to our troops overseas.

Benefits were also held throughout the season with donations going to benefit cancer patients from a memorial race, and to the local Grant Wood Chapter from Autism Awareness Night, which featured kid’s bicycle races. The first annual Autism Awareness Night and bicycle races took place on Sunday, August 29 at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa.

Building on family-friendly entertainment, several candy dashes were held throughout the season, along with the second annual kids’ coloring contest. Winners of the second annual Benton County Speedway coloring contest were all smiles as they collected a trophy for their artistry and a gift pack which included Vinton Value Dollars courtesy of Vinton Unlimited. Prizes for the coloring contest were donated in part by Vinton Unlimited and IMCA. Aura Cacia, of Urbana, presented Moms with a gift on Mother’s Day and kids were presented with balloons and stickers on back to school night, Sunday, August 15. Corn dogs and popcorn chicken bring a kid-friendly menu to the Speedway concessions all season.

Just because the racing season has ended at the Benton County Speedway, doesn’t mean the work is over.

Well over 200 loads of dirt have been added to the racing surface, along with new tile, extensive work is currently in progress to improve track conditions for the 2011 season. The pit area is also seeing extensive work, including the elevation of pit areas and new drainage ditches.

These improvements will help ensure another successful season in 2011 – where drivers and fans from across Eastern Iowa can enjoy the action, right here in Vinton.

Join the Benton County Speedway on Facebook to stay up-to-date with future announcements and racing schedules.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=182908894019&ref=ts

For event sponsorship information, contact Dana Benning (benningfamily@live.com) or Dan Engledow (DEngledow@aol.com).