The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol, and this year’s entry list carries no dramatic twists—just a strong field of contenders. Coming off a Brickyard 400 victory, Bubba Wallace leads 23XI Racing into the Hawkeye State, while short-track favorite Ryan Blaney looks to reclaim his dominance on this unique layout. With 37 drivers set to take the green flag, the 23rd event of the 2025 Cup season is poised to deliver intensity, but one new name on the list adds intrigue.
Key Highlights
37 entries confirmed for the 2025 Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol.
Bubba Wallace returns after Brickyard 400 triumph.
Ryan Blaney aims to defend 2024 Iowa short-track victory.
No major surprises among top-tier teams or drivers.
Familiar Faces and Returning Names Set for Iowa Speedway
The preliminary entry list for the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol includes 37 competitors, a standard count for a non-superspeedway event. Drivers from elite organizations like Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing, and 23XI Racing are all represented, maintaining the series’ high level of competition deep into the regular season.
Bubba Wallace, who captured the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will again pilot the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota with backing from Alltroo. His team enters Iowa with significant momentum, having already placed two of its cars firmly in the playoff conversation. With Wallace’s victory fresh and Tyler Reddick showing steady performance, Iowa presents another critical weekend for the Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin-owned team.
Elsewhere in the field, Ryan Blaney returns to the site of his 2024 short-track win. The Team Penske driver, wheeling the No. 12 Ford sponsored by Wabash, seeks to break a short drought since his last win at Nashville earlier this summer.
Notable omissions are nonexistent this weekend—most chartered teams and part-time entries are present. However, one driver returns to Cup action for the first time this season.
Joey Gase Back in the Cup Fold with Iowa Start
Joey Gase, the Iowa native and NASCAR Xfinity Series veteran, headlines the limited surprises on this week’s entry sheet. He’s set to drive the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford Mustang for the independent team effort backed by King of the Hill on Hulu. The 32-year-old’s appearance at Iowa will mark his 92nd career start in the NASCAR Cup Series and his first of the 2025 campaign.
For Gase, who’s long juggled between Xfinity and part-time Cup duties, racing in his home state offers a welcome return. Although not expected to contend for a top finish, Gase’s presence brings a local connection and enriches the field with a seasoned journeyman driver adding depth.
Star Power from Hendrick, JGR, 23XI, and Penske Remains Steady
There are no changes among the heavyweights. Hendrick Motorsports once again brings all four of its entries: Kyle Larson (No. 5), Chase Elliott (No. 9), William Byron (No. 24), and Alex Bowman (No. 48). All four drivers remain in playoff contention and carry significant sponsor backing, including NAPA, Ally, Raptor, and HendrickCars.com.
Joe Gibbs Racing enters with its four-car lineup intact, led by Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota, with Bob’s Discount Furniture on board. Teammates Ty Gibbs (No. 54), Christopher Bell (No. 20), and Chase Briscoe (No. 19) all return with familiar sponsors, continuing the team’s playoff march.
Team Penske fields Joey Logano (No. 22), Austin Cindric (No. 2), and Ryan Blaney (No. 12), as they seek their collective ninth win of the season across the three entries.
Meanwhile, 23XI Racing rolls in with a three-car effort featuring Wallace, Tyler Reddick (No. 45 McDonald’s Toyota), and Riley Herbst (No. 35 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Toyota). Reddick, like Wallace, has already claimed a win this season, and Herbst remains in the hunt for his first career Cup Series triumph.
Full Entry List Reflects Stability, Competition, and Growing Storylines
The remainder of the field includes a healthy mix of full-time stalwarts and developing drivers. Shane van Gisbergen continues his full-season campaign in the No. 88 Red Bull Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. Carson Hocevar (No. 77), Todd Gilliland (No. 34), Zane Smith (No. 38), and Riley Herbst (No. 35) represent a new generation of Cup talent, while veterans such as Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Martin Truex Jr. are notably absent due to varied schedules or off weeks.
Spire Motorsports, RFK Racing, Front Row Motorsports, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, and Kaulig Racing each field multiple entries. Notable sponsorships include Gainbridge, Body Guard, Celsius, NOS Energy, and Sea Best, showcasing the continued corporate interest in NASCAR’s national series.
All 37 entries will compete for glory on the 0.875-mile oval in Newton, Iowa. The broadcast coverage will be carried by USA Network and streamed on HBO Max, with radio coverage available via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Car | Driver |
1 | Ross Chastain |
2 | Austin Cindric |
3 | Austin Dillon |
4 | Noah Gragson |
5 | Kyle Larson |
6 | Brad Keselowski |
7 | Justin Haley |
8 | Kyle Busch |
9 | Chase Elliott |
10 | Ty Dillon |
11 | Denny Hamlin |
12 | Ryan Blaney |
16 | AJ Allmendinger |
17 | Chris Buescher |
19 | Chase Briscoe |
20 | Christopher Bell |
21 | Josh Berry |
22 | Joey Logano |
23 | Bubba Wallace |
24 | William Byron |
34 | Todd Gilliland |
35 | Riley Herbst |
38 | Zane Smith |
41 | Cole Custer |
42 | John Hunter Nemechek |
43 | Erik Jones |
45 | Tyler Reddick |
47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
48 | Alex Bowman |
51 | Cody Ware |
54 | Ty Gibbs |
60 | Ryan Preece |
66 | Joey Gase (i) |
71 | Michael McDowell |
77 | Carson Hocevar |
88 | Shane van Gisbergen |
99 | Daniel Suarez |
News in Brief: Entry List Set for 2025 Iowa Corn 350
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol, the 23rd race of the 2025 season. A 37-car field has been confirmed, led by Brickyard 400 winner Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and other title contenders. Joey Gase makes his season debut in the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford with support from Hulu. All major teams, including Hendrick, Penske, JGR, and 23XI, are represented. Watch the race live Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and HBO Max.
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