Iowa
Can you guess which Iowa motorsport race is one of the best in the country?
The World of Outlaws line up in the tradition four-abreast formation Saturday at Knoxville
Drivers do the four-abreast parade lap Saturday night prior to the start of the 61st annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals Saturday at Knoxville Raceway
Matt Levins, Des Moines Register
Iowa has one of the best motorsport races in the country.
With 10 raceways around the state and Iowa hosting the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024, it is safe to say Iowans enjoy the thrill of motorsports. The NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Iowa sold out nearly four months before the race.
So out of all the races in Iowa, which one is the best in the state and one of the best in the country?
What Iowa motorsport race won is one of the best in the country?
Iowa’s NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals was ranked as the second-best race in the country by USA TODAY 10Best.
Also known as the “granddaddy of them all,” the Knoxville race beat out eight other races across the country including the Indianapolis 500 and the King of the Hammers. The only race ranked better than Knoxville’s is Sick Week in Orlando Florida.
A panel of industry experts submitted nominations for the annual rankings. 10Best editors narrowed down the list and reader votes determined the final rankings.
What is the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals race?
The race started in 1961, according to the Knoxville Nationals website. It’s a four-day format with a total purse reward of $1 million. Every lap around the track builds points for the racers and whoever has the most points wins the purse.
The track was originally used for horse racing and is located on the Marion County Fairgrounds. The first automobile race was held in 1901, according to the raceway’s website.
More: Hy-Vee-sponsored Christian Lundgaard stops at Grimes Hy-Vee ahead of 108th Indianapolis 500
When is the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals Race?
The 63rd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals begins Aug. 7, 2024, and runs until Aug. 10.
The current champion of the race is Kyle Larson. Tickets are still available for all four days and they start at $47, according to the Knoxville Nationals’ website.
What were the top 10 motorsports races?
The top 10 motorsport races according to USA TODAY 10Best included:
- Sick Week -Orlando, Florida
- NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals – Knoxville, Iowa
- King of the Hammers- Johnson Valley, California
- SCCA National Championship Runoffs – Plymouth, Wisconsin
- NHRA U.S. Nationals – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Holley LS Fest West – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Chili Bowl Nationals Powered by NOS Energy Drink – Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Indianapolis 500 – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Grant Park 165 – Chicago, Illinois
- Daytona 500- Daytona Beach, Florida
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
Iowa
Iowa State Patrol responds to over 200 calls for service during weekend winter storm
Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa State Patrol said it responded to 206 calls for service after another weekend winter storm Saturday.
From 5:30 am to 5:30 pm, ISP said it covered 88 crashes, with 74 resulting in property damage.
Officials said one person died and 13 others were injured.
The patrol had 118 motorist assists.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
How much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
See Iowa DOT snowplow camera capture moment SUV rear ends plow
An Iowa DOT snowplow was hit while clearing snow along Iowa Highway 60 in Sioux County on Nov. 29, 2025. The crash was caught on the plow’s cameras.
A winter storm warning remains in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, for a large swath of the state, from northwest Iowa to much of central Iowa and southeast Iowa.
Drivers should expect slippery conditions.
Snow fell through the morning with accumulations of 2 to 3 inches across most of Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. The light, fluffy snow will taper off in the afternoon.
The weather service advises that snow-covered roads will make travel slick and more difficult and to use caution.
The counties affected include Pocahontas, Sac, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello and Davis.
Where did snow fall the most in Iowa?
Southern Iowa felt the brunt of the snow Saturday morning, with some areas experiencing nearly five inches of accumulation. Here are the highest totals so far in Iowa:
- Milton: 4.5 inches
- Parnell: 4.5 inches
- Norwalk: 3.8 inches
- Badger: 3.5 inches
- Bloomfield: 3.3 inches
- Carroll: 3.2 inches
- Buffalo: 3.2 inches
- North English: 3 inches
- Winterset: 2.6 inches
How much snow has fallen in Des Moines?
The Des Moines International Airport reported 1.2 inches of snow as of 6 a.m. Saturday. Norwalk, just south of Des Moines, reported 3.8 inches of snow by 10:30 a.m. Clive reported 2.7 inches of snow at 10 a.m.
How much snow did Iowa City get?
North Liberty, just north of Iowa City, reported three inches of snow as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Tiffin, which is to the northwest of Iowa City, reported 2.7 inches of snow at 10 a.m.
Roads across the state are covered in snow
The Iowa DOT reported that, as of 11 a.m., many of central Iowa’s highways and interstates were completely covered with snow. The organization said travel on I-80 from central Iowa to the Illinois border is not advised.
“Visibility and road conditions are deteriorating rapidly, causing multiple crashes and closing lanes,” the DOT said in a social media post around 11 a.m.
More snow followed by frigid temps
A cold weather advisory is in effect for much of northern, central and southeastern Iowa into Sunday morning. In the Des Moines area, wind chill values could drop to as low as -15. Wind chills across the state are expected between -20 and -30 starting at 6 p.m. Saturday.
(This article has been updated to include new information.)
Iowa
Iowa man charged in connection to horse-drawn buggy crash that killed teen
CLARKE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – An Iowa man was charged Friday in connection to a deadly horse-drawn buggy crash that killed a teenager last month.
Jacob Wright, 41, of Grand River, is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.
The crash happened in Clarke County on November 12. According to the crash report, Wright’s car hit the back of the buggy and ran it into a ditch.
Elmer Borntrager, 16, was thrown from the buggy and died at the scene.
Police found Wright’s damaged vehicle days later about five miles from the crash scene.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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