The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Iowa Speedway this Sunday for the highly anticipated 2025 Iowa Corn 350, marking only the second time the sport’s premier division will test its mettle at this storied short track. The excitement surrounding the weekend is palpable—expectations are high for packed stands, pulse-pounding action, and bold strategy choices, with the playoff picture growing ever sharper. Iowa’s unique character, coupled with last year’s thrilling debut, has made this event a summer highlight for fans and drivers alike.
Iowa Speedway: Short Track with Deep Roots
Nestled in Newton, about 30 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa Speedway stands as one of NASCAR’s most fan-friendly and technically intriguing tracks. Breaking ground in 2005, the 0.875-mile oval opened in September 2006, quickly winning praise for its challenging D-shaped configuration—a design inspired by Richmond Raceway and shaped by NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace. Since then, it’s played host to a variety of high-profile series, most notably welcoming the Xfinity and Truck Series from 2009 onward. Its seating capacity exceeds 25,000, and the track features a multi-tiered RV area along the backstretch, fostering a festival-like race day atmosphere.
Key to its legacy, Iowa Speedway was the first in the country to install SAFER barriers around its full perimeter, accentuating its commitment to cutting-edge safety. The track’s competitive surface, tight sightlines, and night-race capability have consistently drawn praise from both fans and competitors, cementing its status as a crown jewel of short-track racing. Ownership and financial challenges were overcome when NASCAR purchased the venue in 2013, pledging to preserve its role in top-tier American motorsport.
The Iowa Corn 350: New Tradition, Instant Classic
The Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol burst onto the Cup Series calendar in 2024, delivering on years of anticipation for a premier-series race in Iowa. With lower-division events previously thrilling area fans, local demand for a Cup date intensified—culminating in the inaugural Iowa Corn 350 last June. That race, run over 350 laps (306.25mi), was a historic moment: it marked both NASCAR’s Cup debut at Iowa Speedway and Iowa’s first-ever top-tier stock car event. The 2024 winner, Ryan Blaney, led a dominant 201 laps in a tightly contested showdown that saw favorites, risers, and playoff hopefuls all vying for the win.
What set the Iowa Corn 350 apart from other new events was its flawless integration into the schedule: replacing the Pala Casino 400 (due to construction at Auto Club), it quickly established itself as both a fan favorite and a true test of skill and patience. The combination of tire strategy, track position, and late-race restarts created unpredictable excitement, and the energy in the grandstands echoed the arrival of a new classic race. The Cup Series’ return in 2025—now slated for Sunday, August 3, as Race 23 of the season—is expected to build further on that dramatic foundation, cementing the Iowa Corn 350 as a summer staple going forward.
2025 Predictions: Five Cup Drivers to Watch
This year’s Iowa Corn 350 boasts a full field of current Cup stars and fresh talent, all seeking to write their names into track lore. Based on current form, qualifying performances, prior Iowa results, and expert betting lines, here are five drivers best positioned for a trip to Victory Lane—each an active contender in the 2025 race:
Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) – Larson enters Iowa as a joint favorite with impressive momentum, having qualified near the front and backed by a string of top-five finishes in recent weeks. He came close last year before encountering late trouble and will be hungry for redemption on a track that rewards aggressive, high-skill driving. Larson’s adaptability and speed make him a threat on all short tracks.
Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) – The defending Iowa Corn 350 winner, Blaney led nearly two-thirds of the laps here last time and has shown excellent form on similar ovals. His Ford team has nailed both qualifying and race setups at Iowa, and Blaney’s comfort in tight, changing conditions is hard to beat. He’s again listed among the odds-on favorites for Sunday’s race.
Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) – Bell’s prowess at short tracks, including a dominant effort in Iowa practice sessions this week, puts him firmly in the spotlight. He finished strong last year despite starting deep in the field and has logged consistent results throughout 2025. Bell’s qualifying and race pace should keep him in the lead mix all race long.
Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) – Elliott has established himself as one of the steadiest drivers of 2025, notching seven top-five finishes this season and recording a podium at Iowa in the inaugural event. Known for smooth driving and late-race execution, Elliott’s consistency and track record make him a true contender for Sunday’s honors.
William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) – Byron comes off a front-row qualifying effort (second to Chase Briscoe) and finished as the runner-up last season, proving he has the pace and patience for Iowa. Byron’s ability to avoid trouble and capitalize on late-race restarts makes him a top threat for his first Iowa win.
Honorable mentions include Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe (this year’s pole winner), both of whom have demonstrated speed in practice and qualifying. That said, with Iowa’s unpredictable mid-race cautions and rapid groove evolution, don’t be surprised if another driver emerges as a surprise late contender.
News in Brief: Top Contenders for the 2025 Iowa Corn 350
The 2025 Iowa Corn 350 not only signals NASCAR’s commitment to expanding its majesty into new heartland markets but also reaffirms the thrill that comes with short-track racing at the highest level. With a unique venue steeped in both modern safety and classic challenge, this Sunday’s event promises tension, strategy, and drama—all with playoff implications heightening every pass. Whether it’s established stars like Larson and Blaney, methodical masters like Elliott and Bell, or hungry pacesetters like Byron, the stage is set for fireworks.
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