Dirt on The Downs at Hawkeye Downs

08/05/2026

Here is the fall schedule of events. Dates, times, payouts, will follow in next couple weeks, Details for 2027 will be posted at the end of this week.

07/28/2026

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07/26/2026

07/25/2026

HAWKEYE DOWNS TO CONVERT TO PREDOMINANTLY DIRT RACING IN 2027
Quarter-mile track to be covered in dirt this fall will remain a dirt track next racing season

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Hawkeye Downs, the premier racing venue in Eastern Iowa, will officially race on dirt during the 2027 racing season. Plans call for adding 6000 tons of dirt (that’s 350 truckloads!) to the quarter-mile track this fall for Dirt at the Downs events. The dirt will remain in place for next year's racing season.

“Following the success of our Dirt at the Downs events last year, we were encouraged to consider converting the shorter track to dirt for future racing,” said Gordon Parker, board president of Hawkeye Downs. “After putting pen to paper and reviewing the financials, we believe it’s in the best interest of Hawkeye Downs and its future to go with dirt racing in 2027.”

The half-mile track at Hawkeye Downs will remain an asphalt oval. The board and staff are also exploring opportunities to host racing events on the longer asphalt track next year, which could make Hawkeye Downs the only racing venue in Iowa to offer both dirt and asphalt racing.

Hawkeye Downs is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. The board will continue to oversee events at the racetrack, as it does at the expo center, also located on the property. Hawkeye Downs leases the racetrack and expo center from the property owner, Roger Cassill, who owns several local businesses. Cassill backs the move to short-track dirt racing.

“The support for dirt racing at last year’s Dirt at the Downs was evident by the crowds filling the stands,” said Cassill. “I’m pleased to see the board taking this action to keep racing alive and well at Hawkeye Downs.”

The 101st racing season is now underway at Hawkeye Downs with the Big 8 Series racing this Saturday, July 18, and weekly asphalt racing on the following dates:
🏁 Friday, July 24
🏁 Friday, July 31
🏁 Wednesday, August 5
🏁 Friday, August 14
🏁 Friday, August 21

Dirt at the Downs returns in September with four events currently scheduled.

https://www.hawkeyedowns.org/news 🔗

07/24/2026

Welcome to the Dirt on The Downs at Hawkeye Downs page!
Keep and eye out for updates!