Iowa Speedway is known as a destination for skilled driving so officials there wanted to pass on some of those skills to teens Saturday to keep them safe on the roads.

The circuit was turned in to a training ground for younger drivers as officials spread soapy water on the track to help them learn how to handle slick driving conditions.

It’s a program called Street Survival. It teaches new drivers to handle challenging driving scenarios they won’t find in drivers ed.

The program is not required by state law but instructors say this type of additional exposure is an advantage.

“We’re giving them the chance to be safer drivers and if we can save the life of one person by learning to avoid an accident this makes all of this effort worthwhile,” said chief instructor, Jeff Daly.

The class is offered in the summer and fall for people ages 16 to 25.

A major expansion of the Iowa Speedway in Newton could hinge on whether state lawmakers approve $8 million in additional funding. State Representative Dan Kelley, a Newton Democrat, hopes to convince lawmakers to put public dollars behind the project.

Thursday afternoon, Kelley said the Speedway wants to lure a Sprint Cup series race to town. To help those efforts, the Speedway would use the public money to expand its current 40,000 seat capability to up to 100,000, the crowd size the Sprint Cup series race could attract. Kelley said, “We’re bringing a sports entity that is at its highest level to the state of Iowa. We have many sporting opportunities for fans in the state that are just wonderful. We have the I-Cubs, the Barnstormers, Iowa Hawkeye fans and Cyclone fans and so forth. This is the highest level of motorsport in the world. That’s what we’re fighting for today.”

Nominations are wanted for the the 2013 Master Pork Producer and Environmental Steward awards.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association began the program in 1942.

“Iowa’s pork producers represent some of the most efficient, innovative and adaptive in the industry,” said Tyler Bettin, IPPA producer education director. “It is important that we continue to recognize the efforts of our best and brightest producers. Doing this demonstrates to consumers our commitment to the environment and production of safe food while also educating other producers of best management practices and industry opportunities.”

Award recipients will be recognized at the 2014 Iowa Pork Congress in January and will receive a $1,000 cash award.

Nomination forms and instructions can be found at iowapork.org.