Murphy There’s something about the roar of engines, the smell of kicked-up dirt, and the electric buzz of a crowd that hooks you the moment you experience it. For Jeff and me, that moment came when we decided to dive into the world of dirt track racing for the first time at Adams County Speedway. What started as a spontaneous idea turned into an unforgettable night—and a declaration that this half-mile dirt oval in Corning, Iowa, is now our official home track. .
Stepping Into the Dirt Track World
Neither of us had ever been to a dirt track race before. Sure, we’d watched NASCAR on TV and admired the polished chaos of big-time racing, but dirt tracks? That was uncharted territory. After some Googling and a recommendation from a friend, we settled on Adams County Speedway—a place with over 90 years of racing history and the only dirt track in Iowa running weekly NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Series events. It felt like the perfect spot to pop our dirt track cherry, and boy, were we right.
From the moment we rolled up, the folks at Adams County welcomed us with open arms. We’d barely parked when a friendly staffer waved us over, handed us VIP passes, and told us to make ourselves at home. VIP treatment on our first visit? We weren’t expecting that, but it set the tone for a night that just kept getting better.
Exploring Every Angle
Armed with our camera and a mission to capture the essence of the place, we set out to document Adams County Speedway from top to bottom. Our video takes you everywhere—up in the grandstands for that bird’s-eye view of the half-mile oval, down by the pits where the cars growl and the crews hustle, and even trackside where the dirt flies and the action feels so close you can taste it. The energy was raw, unfiltered, and alive in a way that TV screens can’t replicate. Watching those cars slide through the turns, engines screaming, was like witnessing a dance between man, machine, and mother nature.
A Hero in the Spotlight: Meeting Cody Grace
The highlight of the night—was getting to sit down with Cody Grace, a NASCAR first responder who’d been first on the scene of a crash at the track just a few weeks earlier. The incident had shaken things up, but thankfully, the driver walked away okay. On this night, the speedway honored everyone involved—the driver, the responders, and the staff who kept things under control—with a heartfelt tribute that had the crowd on its feet.
Cody was gracious enough to chat with us, sharing what it’s like to leap into action when every second counts. “You train for it, but when it happens, it’s all instinct,” he said, his voice steady but his eyes lighting up as he recalled the moment. “Seeing that driver climb out and wave to the crowd—that’s why we do this.” His story added a layer of depth to the night, reminding us that behind the thrill of racing, there’s a tight-knit community looking out for each other. It’s in the video—don’t skip that part.
VIP Vibes and a Night to Remember
The racing itself? Pure adrenaline. The cars tore around the track, kicking up clouds of dirt that hung in the air like a gritty halo. Every pass, every near-miss had us gripping the edge of our seats. But what made it truly awesome was how the Adams County crew treated us like family. They showed us behind-the-scenes spots, introduced us to drivers and pit crew folks, and even invited us back for the next race. By the end of the night, we were hooked—not just on the racing, but on the people and the place.
Why Adams County Speedway is Our Home Track
As first-timers, we didn’t know what to expect, but Adams County Speedway exceeded every hope we had. The raw excitement of dirt track racing, the warmth of the community, and the chance to capture it all in our video made it a night we’ll never forget. It’s not just a speedway—it’s a place where history, passion, and heart collide. We’re ready to go back NOW.
