Nationwide to have race at Iowa Speedway in '09

NEWTON, Iowa -- The Iowa Speedway in Newton will host a NASCAR Nationwide Series race next season.

Track officials announced Tuesday that the 250-lap race will be held Aug. 1.

Landing a Nationwide Series race is a major coup for the track, which was designed by Rusty Wallace. The yet-to-be named race is the second from a major circuit on the track's 2009 schedule, joining the Indy Racing League's Iowa 250.

Wallace says it hasn't been determined if it will be a day or night race.

The Nationwide Series is NASCAR's second-tier stock car circuit, often drawing many of the sport's top drivers.