August 12, 2025
presented by
Sugar Bottom Bikes
July 8, 2025
presented by
Iowa City Bike Library
photo by Scott and Michelle Wall
photo by Scott and Michelle Wall
June 10, 2025
presented by
Geoff's Bike & Ski
Big thanks to Geoff's Bike & Ski for a great night of bike racing at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.
And thanks to Scott & Michelle Wall for all the bonus photos (douglasaveimages.smugmug.com)!
And thanks to Scott & Michelle Wall for all the bonus photos (douglasaveimages.smugmug.com)!
May 13, 2025
presented by
Goldfinch Cyclery
August 13, 2024
presented by
Sugar Bottom Bikes
photo by Nick Hoefer
July 9, 2024
LADIES' NIGHT OVAL
June 11, 2024
presented by
May 14, 2024
presented by
In the scratch race, we came very close to the cones on one of the laps. I saw it at the last moment and barely missed hitting it and then I heard someone hit it behind me, but fortunately no one went down. A few laps from the finish Travis went to the front and generously pulled for several laps. The bunch was preparing for the finish so no one wanted to take over the front. We rounded the first turn on the last lap and Travis veered a little to the right and outside so I decided to go for a long range sprint and launched down the inside using him as a blocker. In that instant I was able to open up enough of a gap to hold it all the way to the finish to win.
-- John Martinek
-- John Martinek
In the Big C I was in a great position starting the last lap. Steve had come to the front and I was sitting right on his wheel in second place. I was hoping he would lead me out into the sprint. We went over the hump on the first curve and sadly Steve's chain dropped ... and instantly I was on the front. Of course no one wanted to come around so I was now stuck as the lead out. I wasn't sure what to do so I gradually increased my speed, little by little until I was sprinting into the last curve. I could hear Bobby bearing down on my right and he slowly came around me. There was noting else I could do as I was on the limit as he pulled away meter by meter. Luckily I held on for second place.
-- John Martinek
-- John Martinek
At the end of the Spiral of Death, somehow Karl, Bobby, and I ended up with a big gap going into the last lap. As we rounded the final curve and entered the back straightaway, the bunch was slowly catching us. I was in third wheel and kept looking back hoping we could hold them off. Just as they were about to make contact I yelled "they're going to pass us." I was hoping Bobby would react and launch his sprint, which he did, but in that moment instead of holding his wheel he gapped me by about 20 feet. Unfortunately I was too slow to react. He powered his way to victory and I couldn't catch him. Just as he crossed the finish line his chain came off, perfectly timed.
-- John Martinek
-- John Martinek
August 8, 2023
presented by
July 11, 2023
presented by
June 13, 2023
presented by
photo by Michelle Wall
May 9, 2023
presented by
August 9, 2022
presented by
photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
July 12, 2022
presented by
Thanks to Scott & Michelle Wall for sharing some of their great photos.
June 14, 2022
presented by
May 10, 2022
presented by
Our friends at Goldfinch Cyclery were on hand for our first Night at the Oval of 2022.
Sponsors and more, the Goldfinch crew provided mechanical support, snacks, grillables, NA beverages, and good energy for the evening.
Sponsors and more, the Goldfinch crew provided mechanical support, snacks, grillables, NA beverages, and good energy for the evening.
Last Year...
August 17, 2021
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presented by |
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June 29, 2021
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Presented
by |
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photos by Joann Konrath McKillip
June 1, 2021
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presented by
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May 11, 2021
presented by
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Logan Orcutt
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Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
Joanne Konrath McKillip
nearly Two Years earlier...
July 9, 2019
photos thanks to Angy Snoop (https://angysnoop.smugmug.com/)
photos thanks to Angy Snoop (https://angysnoop.smugmug.com/)
May 14, 2019
A Race
B Race
photo by Scott Wall
Some photos courtesy of Scott Wall. Thanks, Scott!
2018
More than ever race the oval July 10
Forty eight racers took part in Night at the Oval July 10, a modern-era record for the event. As this third edition marks the end of the 2018 season for NatO, big thanks to John Burge, Larry Howe, and Goosetown Racing/New Pi for making it happen.
Also, thanks to Angy Snoop for the great photos (angysnoop.smugmug.com).
Also, thanks to Angy Snoop for the great photos (angysnoop.smugmug.com).
June 26 Night at the oval without a drop
Twenty-some racers made it to Hawkeye Downs Tuesday, June 26 despite a sketchy looking weather forecast. Their efforts were repaid with a beautiful evening of bike racing without a drop of rain. The turnout didn't match that of May 8th, but that was no surprise since NatO had been abruptly cancelled June 12 after a crashed semi tractor necessitated repairs of the track. The next Night at the Oval, the last for the year, is Tuesday July 10.
Big thanks for the photos from Joanne Konrath McKillip and Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com).
Big thanks for the photos from Joanne Konrath McKillip and Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com).
Record turnout for revived Night at the oval
Forty-five cyclists raced the Night at the Oval May 8th, the most in modern times in the series' first event after a three year absence. Night at the Oval, a mix of short track-inspired races at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, was revived by our friends at Goosetown Racing Club.
What goes around comes around. Tuesday, May 8, for the first time since 2014, bike racing returned to the Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids with Night at the Oval.
