The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the heart of the Midwest for its only 2025 stop at Iowa Speedway, joined by the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series for a packed weekend of racing. Fans will see practice, qualifying, and feature events across three days, with several storylines highlighting the entry lists, including a Cup start for Joey Gase and Tyler Tomassi making his first career Xfinity appearance. All eyes are set on Iowa for three straight days of short-track action.
Key Highlights
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NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 takes place Sunday, August 3, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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Xfinity Series Hy-Vee Perks 250 scheduled Saturday, August 2, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
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ARCA Menards Series opens the weekend with the Atlas 150 on Friday night.
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Joey Gase makes first Cup start of 2025 in the No. 66 for Garage 66.
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Tyler Tomassi debuts in Xfinity driving the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports.
Friday: ARCA Menards Series Kicks Off the Weekend
The Iowa weekend begins on Friday, August 1, with the ARCA Menards Series taking center stage. The day opens with practice at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Atlas 150 is set to go green at 7:00 p.m. ET under the lights, setting the tone for a weekend loaded with action. Iowa has long been a pivotal track for ARCA, providing a mix of short-track battles and intermediate-speed racing that often predicts future NASCAR stars. Friday’s event gives teams and fans the first taste of the track’s conditions before the top two NASCAR series roll out.
| Time (ET) | Series | Session |
| 3:30 p.m. | ARCA Menards Series | Practice |
| 4:30 p.m. | ARCA Menards Series | Qualifying |
| 7:00 p.m. | ARCA Menards Series | Atlas 150 |
Saturday: Practice, Qualifying, and the Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250
Saturday is a full day of activity, starting with the NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at 11:00 a.m. ET. Qualifying follows at 12:05 p.m., locking in the starting order for the Hy-Vee Perks 250. Later in the day, Cup Series drivers hit the track with practice at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 2:40 p.m. ET. The Xfinity race is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW. The entry list for Saturday’s race includes 38 drivers, with every team guaranteed a spot unless last-minute changes occur. Ross Chastain returns to the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet for his fifth start of the season, while Justin Bonsignore joins Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 19 Toyota for his sixth appearance of 2025.
| Time (ET) | Series | Session |
| 11:00 a.m. | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Practice |
| 12:05 p.m. | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Qualifying |
| 1:30 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series | Practice |
| 2:40 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series | Qualifying |
| 4:30 p.m. | NASCAR Xfinity Series | HyVee Perks 250 |
Tyler Tomassi will make his Xfinity debut in the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports, adding a new face to the lineup. Patrick Emerling continues his season in the No. 07 for SS-Green Light Racing, and Thomas Annunziata is set to drive the No. 70 for Cope Family Racing. With Corey Day back in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports entry, Saturday’s race promises a competitive mix of veterans and young guns looking to make their mark on Iowa’s short oval.
Sunday: NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Main Event
Sunday afternoon belongs to the Cup Series, with the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. The race will mark the series’ only trip to Iowa in 2025, continuing its presence on the calendar after a successful debut last season. The entry list includes 37 cars, guaranteeing all teams a spot on the grid. Joey Gase headlines the additions to this week’s lineup, making his first Cup start of the year behind the wheel of the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford.
| Time (ET) | Series | Session |
| 3:30 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series |
Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
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The field features regular contenders and past winners as teams aim to capitalize on the short-track setting in the heart of the Midwest. With practice and qualifying completed Saturday, strategy and adaptability will be key to securing a strong finish on Sunday’s tight but fast layout. Iowa’s 0.875-mile oval is known for progressive banking and multi-groove racing, creating challenges that could shuffle the leaderboard in the closing laps. With the NASCAR Playoffs approaching, teams are expected to fight for every point as the series’ top drivers go door-to-door in front of a packed Iowa Speedway crowd.
News in Brief: NASCAR Releases Full 2025 Iowa Weekend Schedule
NASCAR’s 2025 Iowa weekend features three days of racing across the ARCA, Xfinity, and Cup Series, bringing high-intensity action to the 0.875-mile short track. Friday’s Atlas 150 kicks things off before Saturday’s full slate of practice, qualifying, and the Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250. Sunday’s Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 headlines the weekend with 37 cars entered, including Joey Gase’s first Cup start of the year. Tyler Tomassi makes his Xfinity debut for Joey Gase Motorsports.
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