Lenexa, Kansas, April 26, 2011 — John Deere announces an official partnership with the Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa, and will sponsor the Iowa John Deere Dealer’s 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race to be held at 1 p.m. on May 22nd.  In partnership with 10 Iowa John Deere dealers, they will bring more than 3,000 customers to this premier event.

John Deere Division Sales Manager Jeff Oldham explains that the company’s partnership with Iowa Speedway provides a great opportunity to connect with their customers.

“Iowa Speedway can seat more than 55,000 fans, and the Nationwide Series Races at this track consistently sell out,” says Oldham. “Because many of our customers are avid race fans, we are very excited about the sponsorship with our dealers, and look forward to an exciting race on the fastest track (under 1 mile) in the nation.”

“Many of our fans have rural roots, so we’re pleased to have one of the biggest names in the agricultural industry as a 2011 race sponsor and official partner of the Iowa Speedway,” says Chuck Spicer, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Iowa Speedway.

John Deere and the participating Iowa dealers will also give away a one-year lease on an 825i Gator XUV to 10 lucky customers who signed up at one of many participating dealer locations throughout Iowa.

“John Deere loaned us a fleet of Gators to facilitate our operations staff and help transport fans needing extra assistance on race day,” says Spicer. “So, everyone will have an opportunity to see the Gators in-action at the track, and the winners will be announced during the race.”

“In addition to the overall sponsorship of the race, we’ve invited the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Iowa to choose a wish child recipient to open the race as the honorary Grand Marshall. We want to help raise even more awareness to the Foundations’ efforts to help kids with life-threatening medical conditions," states Oldham.

"Also, with all the activities going on, we couldn’t do this without the support of our 10 participating John Deere dealers and we appreciate their time and resources in helping to bring this popular event to Iowa,” Oldham went on to say.
 
The participating Iowa dealers are:

• Barker Implement & Motor Co. Inc., Lenox
• Bodensteiner Implement Co., Elkader
• Elder Implement, Co., Inc., Muscatine
• Ernie Williams Ltd., Algona
• GreenValley AG & Turf, LLC, Mt. Vernon
• Horizon Equipment, Manning
• K. C. Nielsen LTD, Humboldt
• Schenkelberg Implement Co., Carroll
• Southard Implement Co., Marshalltown
• Van-Wall Equipment, Inc., Perry

          For more information about the Iowa John Deere Dealer’s 250 race, contact one of the participating dealers above or visit www.iowaspeedway.com.