As NASCAR prepares for its upcoming event at Iowa Speedway, Kevin Harvick has openly shared his impressions, reflecting on previous experiences while anticipating a dynamic race. Harvick’s Iowa NASCAR reaction highlights both excitement for the venue and ongoing questions about recent track changes.
Anticipation Builds for Second Cup Race at Iowa Speedway
The 2024 Cup Series brought the high-profile event to Iowa Speedway for the first time since the facility’s debut in 2006. That inaugural Cup race saw Ryan Blaney, who hails from the region, win in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, creating a memorable local moment. The enthusiastic response from the crowd and the on-track competition earned Iowa instant favor among NASCAR fans, prompting organizers to confirm Iowa Speedway on the NASCAR Cup schedule for 2025 as well.
Kevin Harvick, reflecting on Iowa’s popularity, speculated that fans, drivers, and the racing community could expect a race in 2025 similar to the well-received event last season.
“It’s a cool, awesome short track, and I think that the fans will come out and support it. I think that they enjoy the Cup cars and the way that they race at Iowa. So, I think that the drivers like it. We didn’t really know what would happen with the asphalt. The way that they repaved it was kind of goofy. It’s kind of weird. And it took away that third and fourth lane of racing because of the fact that new asphalt had grip, but it was a pretty good race last year and I don’t think it’ll be any different this year,” —Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast
Harvick Remembers Competing at Iowa Against Joey Logano
Looking back, Harvick described his first competitive appearance at Iowa Speedway in 2007 during an ARCA Series race—then known as K&N. That race was significant as it marked the first time Kevin Harvick raced head-to-head against Joey Logano. According to Harvick, the race attracted a sold-out crowd and exceeded expectations in terms of competition, with notable moments including Logano’s speed on the straightaways compared to Harvick’s strong performance in the turns.
Controversy Surrounds Iowa Speedway Repave
Before the inaugural Cup Series event at Iowa, the track underwent a partial repaving project that led to widespread debate within the NASCAR community. Harvick, among other drivers, was critical of the decision to only repave part of the racetrack, noting that the inconsistent surface affected racing lines and overall competition.
“Who in the world decided to repave this racetrack? You had to run one with the old asphalt. They repaved the racetrack from the middle of the racetrack down. If you’re going to repave it, repave the whole corner because now you’ve got half a racetrack.” —Kevin Harvick
Harvick contrasted NASCAR’s approach with prior events, referencing an earlier IndyCar race held at Iowa Speedway and reiterating his dissatisfaction. He did not shy away from labeling the partial repave as the most questionable track maintenance decision of the year for the series.
What’s Next for Iowa and the Cup Series?
Despite the contentious repave, the Cup race at Iowa drew a large, supportive crowd and provided strong on-track competition, validating NASCAR’s decision to return for another season. With Ryan Blaney’s memorable home victory still fresh and the debate about the racing surface ongoing, attention now turns to whether upcoming Iowa events will maintain or surpass the excitement of last year.
As veteran competitors like Kevin Harvick voice both optimism and concern, Iowa’s place in the NASCAR Cup Series remains a topic generating interest across fans, drivers, and the broader motorsports world.
