Racing ahead

Jerry Jauron works 12-hour-days so people can play. And he loves every minute.

“I’ve been where you get up in the morning and you go to work and it’s the same-old, same-old, and you don’t have the motivation to make the world a better place. Now I have a job that’s cool. It’s hard work, but it’s amazing because I know the work I do is so our customers can have fun. I can’t think of any other position I’d rather have,” said Jauron, who is CFO and president of Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.

“I’m a sports entertainment enthusiast and that’s what this is. What an incredible opportunity that doesn’t come down the street very often. We are gaining strong national and international attention,” Jauron said.

Iowa Speedway, 30 miles east of Des Moines, was designed by former NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace and is owned and operated by U.S. Motorsport Corporation.

“Our job on race day is to put on the best show we can, and there’s nothing better than seeing 30,000 people grinning from ear to ear. People tell their friends and family they had a great time, and it’s the coolest thing going. There’s not a bad seat in the house. I had a guy tell me, ‘I’m not a race fan but I’m an Iowa Speedway fan,’ ” Jauron said.

Since opening nearly three years ago, the speedway boasts two Indy Car races and in August held its first NASCAR race.

“Having the NASCAR nationwide series is a wonderful accomplishment for Iowa Speedway. Until you come here and witness it, you have no idea what a world-class facility we have. So many people think this is a Saturday night racetrack like you find all over the state, but this is a $70 million racetrack.”

This season’s racing schedule began May 17 with the NASCAR East/West challenge and concludes Sept. 19 with a USAR Pro Cup Series/ASA Late Model Series.

The racetrack has 100 acres of parking, race simulators, pre- and post-race concerts featuring national acts, fireworks, autograph sessions with the drivers, souvenir stands and games.

“You can come out here for as little as $20 and be entertained for 10 hours and choose how much time you want to spend in each venue. It’s endless fun, and in today’s economy people are looking for value. Iowa Speedway can’t be beat,” Jauron said.

Jauron is just as enthusiastic about his alma mater.

“I cherish those four years [at UNI]; they were great. I picked an absolutely wonderful school,” he said. “I was raised to be self-confident and take pride in whatever I did. At UNI, it was reinforced. Professors Andreessen, Davis, Halvorson and Nicholas in the accounting department pushed us very hard. They said take pride in what you do; don’t settle for second best. When I walked off that campus as a graduate, I carried that pride through my whole career. I remember studying into the wee hours of the morning, always with that goal. Being the president and CFO of Iowa Speedway is cool, but there are a lot of us running major corporations. It does show the quality of UNI.”

Jerry Jauron

Education: 1990 B.A., accounting, UNI
Career: CFO of Iowa Speedway since 2007; named president in 2008
Family: wife, Julie; son, Jacob; daughter, Jenna

 

Maintained by the UNI Alumni Association
Last Modified: August 31, 2009