The Iowa Corn 350 is set to test the limits of the Next Gen platform, and while the championship contenders dominate the headlines, a quieter battle is brewing among the drivers who consistently hover in the high teens to low twenties. Their ability to extract grip from a compact layout often translates into valuable fantasy points, especially when late‑race cautions shuffle the running order.
Todd Gilliland has carved out a reputation as a steady mid‑pack performer, routinely finishing in the high teens to low twenties. This season his average finish on short‑flat tracks sits at 10.0, and at Iowa he holds a 24th‑place ranking for both Driver Rating and Speed in the Next Gen series. His 12th‑place result earlier this year, coupled with an average running position of 17.7, underscores a knack for navigating traffic and capitalizing on late‑race caution windows.
Riley Herbst, meanwhile, enters the event with modest expectations but a clear upside. His recent four‑race sample on short‑flat circuits yields an average finish of 20.25, and a solitary Cup start at Iowa last year ended in 30th place. While the numbers are modest, the team’s incremental gains suggest that a step forward could translate into a surprise breakout.
McDowell’s Dark‑Horse Potential
Michael McDowell brings a contrasting profile: a 25.0 career average at Iowa and a 19th‑place ranking for both Speed and Driver Rating in the Next Gen. He has tasted top‑ten finishes on three of the four shorter‑flat tracks preceding North Wilkesboro, yet a pair of flat‑tire setbacks in the most recent outing relegated him to a deceptive 23rd‑place finish. Those blemishes mask a driver who still possesses the pace to contend if the car’s reliability improves.
For fantasy enthusiasts, the trio offers a spectrum of risk and reward. Gilliland’s consistency makes him a safe bet for points‑heavy formats, while Herbst’s upward trajectory could yield a high‑upside pick at a relatively low ownership rate. McDowell, despite recent setbacks, remains a dark‑horse candidate whose price may not fully reflect his underlying speed.