The start of the NBC Sports coverage for the 2024 NASCAR season begins at Iowa Speedway this weekend, with the NASCAR Iowa TV schedule 2024 promising a packed set of Cup, Xfinity, and ARCA races for fans. With all eyes on a sold-out event in Iowa, enthusiasts across the United States can tune in to multiple networks to catch every moment of the action, while series like Formula 1 compete at the Hungaroring in Budapest and IMSA takes on Road America.
How to Watch NASCAR in Iowa This Weekend
The weekend’s broadcast from Iowa Speedway features three major series: the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series, all taking place from Friday through Sunday. The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East Atlas 150 kicks off the televised racing on Friday at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.
For NASCAR Xfinity fans, Saturday brings both practice and qualifying sessions early in the day on The CW App at 11 a.m. ET and noon ET respectively. These sessions will precede the main Xfinity Series Hy-Vee Perks 250, which will air on The CW at 4:30 p.m. ET. Local CW affiliates may choose to air the practice and qualifying sessions, so viewers should check local listings for availability.
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule includes practice at 1:30 p.m. ET and qualifying at 2:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, both broadcast on TruTV. The Cup Series makes only its second-ever visit to Iowa Speedway, with this year’s event taking place roughly six weeks later compared to last year, potentially impacting teams’ ability to use insights from previous data due to the timing change.
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 is set to be the highlight, airing on USA Network. Pre-race coverage with Countdown to Green starts at 2 p.m. ET. Race coverage kicks in at 2:30 p.m. ET, with the green flag scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET and fans filling every seat to witness the 350-lap contest.
The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East will conduct their combined event as a one-day affair on Friday. Practice for these series is planned for 3:30 p.m. ET, immediately followed by qualifying — neither of which will be televised. Coverage of the main Atlas 150 race will begin at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, just before the green flag at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Detailed Television Schedule for the NASCAR Iowa Weekend
Fans looking to follow the NASCAR action throughout the weekend can refer to this concise breakdown:
1. ARCA Menards Series/ARCA Menards Series East Atlas 150: 7 p.m. ET Friday on FS1
2. NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice: 11 a.m. ET Saturday on The CW App
3. NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying: Noon ET Saturday on The CW App
4. NASCAR Cup Series Practice: 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday on TruTV
5. NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying: 2:40 p.m. ET Saturday on TruTV
6. NASCAR Xfinity Series Hy-Vee Perks 250: 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday on The CW
7. NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350: 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday on USA Network
Supporting programs, including pre-race and countdown shows, are scheduled before the main events to enhance fans’ viewing experiences, with detailed coverage and analysis.
What Spectators and Viewers Should Know About Weather Conditions
This weekend at Iowa Speedway, conditions are expected to be comfortable, especially following a recent cold front that brought temperatures down from the previous week’s heat affecting much of the eastern United States. The forecast for each day at the track predicts a high of around 76°, accompanied by sunshine and no immediate threat of rain—a favorable outlook for racing in August.
However, fans and participants should be aware that a heavy haze is expected due to widespread smoke from ongoing wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The smoke is creating hazy conditions across the Midwest, including Iowa, which could be particularly challenging for those with respiratory conditions. Racegoers are advised to take precautions, which could include the use of protective masks if needed to mitigate health risks.
Insights on TV Ratings from Recent NASCAR Broadcasts
As the Iowa races take place, recent television ratings reflect a complex media landscape for NASCAR. TNT’s coverage of the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG in Indianapolis earned a 1.2 rating, drawing approximately 2.45 million viewers, with 2.281 million watching via TNT and another 169,000 tuning in for the In-Season Challenge AltCast. While these numbers represent the highest audience TNT achieved during its five-race run, it is also the lowest-rated Brickyard 400 in history—viewership was down 33% and ratings off by 43% compared to NBC’s coverage last year, which garnered a 2.1 rating and 3.63 million viewers shortly before the Olympic break for the Paris Olympics.
Turning to other series, Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series recorded a .6 rating with 1.108 million viewers, representing a 4.5% decrease from the prior year’s race, which aired on USA Network. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series TSport 200, broadcast from Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, earned a .19 rating with 345,000 viewers on FS1—20% down from last year’s .24 rating and 432,000 viewers. These statistics demonstrate wider trends and challenges facing NASCAR’s television audience and broadcaster strategy.
Broader Context for This NASCAR Weekend
This NASCAR Iowa TV schedule 2024 occurs during a competitive summer stretch for motorsport fans, with notable events also happening in Formula 1 at Budapest’s Hungaroring and IMSA at Road America. While NBC Sports resumes its broadcast, viewers benefit from a variety of networks—including The CW, TruTV, USA Network, and FS1—offering comprehensive motorsports coverage.
The significance of the second-ever Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway cannot be understated, as teams may need to quickly adapt due to the later placement on the calendar compared to last year. Iowa’s full grandstands and the varied racing series—ranging from the ARCA Menards Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series—all contribute to a dynamic weekend for attendees and national audiences alike.
Amid the racing excitement, those at the track and watching remotely are encouraged to monitor weather updates and air quality indices, especially as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts across the region. The unfolding events at Iowa Speedway this weekend will add important context to ongoing discussions about motorsports viewership and event planning as the racing season continues.
