The second NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway is shaping up to be a classic, and this time, Mother Nature looks ready to cooperate. The National Weather Service is predicting ideal racing conditions from Friday through Sunday, with highs in the 70s°F and only a slight chance of rain. With a packed grandstand and no weather threats expected, the stage is set for a thrilling, uninterrupted weekend of short-track action in Newton, Iowa.
Weather Outlook for Race Weekend
Race fans heading to Iowa Speedway can expect near-perfect conditions throughout the three-day weekend. Friday’s ARCA Menards Series Atlas 150 kicks things off under sunny skies, with comfortable temperatures in the low 70s°F. Saturday and Sunday will be just as favorable, featuring mid-to-upper 70s°F highs and a negligible 10% chance of rain each day.
For teams, a clear forecast is a welcome change from the unpredictable weather often seen during summer events. With no expected rain, practice and qualifying sessions for both the Xfinity and Cup Series are projected to proceed as planned. That stability means crew chiefs can count on consistent track conditions, gathering crucial data to dial in setups before Sunday’s main event. It also eliminates the need for weather-driven strategy calls, letting race pace, pit work, and driver skill determine the outcome on the 0.875-mile short track.
NASCAR
IowaET
Fri
3:30-ARCA p&q
7-FS1-ARCA race 150Sat
11-CW App-Xfin p&q
1:30-TruTV-Cup p&q
4-CW-Prerace
4:30-CW-Xfin 60-60-130Sun
3-USA-Prerace
3:30-USA-Cup race 70-140-140NWS Fri-Sun: 70s, 10% rain
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 29, 2025
A Packed Weekend of Racing at Iowa Speedway
The Iowa Corn 350 weekend offers far more than just Sunday’s Cup Series race. Fans will get three full days of stock car action featuring ARCA, Xfinity, and Cup stars.
The weekend begins Friday, August 1, with the ARCA Menards Series Atlas 150 taking the green flag at 7 p.m. ET. This race has become a showcase for young talent, offering an early glimpse of future NASCAR contenders.
Saturday brings a heavy slate of activity. The Xfinity Series opens with practice at 11 a.m. ET and qualifying just after noon. Cup Series drivers follow with their own practice and qualifying runs later in the afternoon, setting the stage for the Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250 at 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network. Tyler Tomassi is set to make his Xfinity debut, while Joey Gase continues his dual-program weekend, running both Xfinity and Cup races.
Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol marks just the second time NASCAR’s premier series has tackled the Newton short track. The green flag drops at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, with Joey Gase returning to the Cup field for his first 2025 start. With the playoffs just weeks away, expect hard racing and aggressive moves as drivers look to secure every available point.
Impact of Weather on Fans and Teams
A sold-out Iowa Speedway crowd of more than 40,000 fans is expected once again, and this time, they can leave ponchos behind. The sunshine and mild temperatures will make for an ideal race-going experience, from packed grandstands to buzzing campgrounds around the track. NASCAR has confirmed another sellout for 2025, reinforcing Iowa’s popularity among fans craving short-track action on the Cup schedule.
For teams, a consistent, dry track throughout the weekend simplifies preparation. Practice sessions will give a clear picture of tire falloff, grip levels, and handling over long runs without the interruptions that rain delays often bring. Crew chiefs can stick to their original plans instead of scrambling for rain-adjusted strategies, potentially leading to more competitive and tightly contested racing on Sunday.
With no weather disruptions expected, the Iowa Corn 350 is shaping up as a pure test of speed and execution on one of NASCAR’s most exciting short ovals. Fans and teams alike are set for a weekend where on-track performance—not the radar—determines the results.
News in Brief: 2025 Iowa Corn 350 Weekend Weather Prediction
Ideal weather is forecast for the 2025 NASCAR weekend at Iowa Speedway, with highs in the 70s°F and only a 10% rain chance from Friday to Sunday. The ARCA Menards Series Atlas 150 opens the action Friday night, followed by the Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250 on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol takes the green flag at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. Clear skies and a sold-out crowd set the stage for a thrilling, uninterrupted weekend of short-track racing in Newton, Iowa.
ALSO READ: How to Watch the 2025 Iowa Corn 350 Weekend: Schedule, Start Times, and TV Info
