Qualifying Highlights and Starting Grid
Ryan Blaney secured the pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, posting a blistering lap at 134.191 mph during qualifying. The performance marks his third victory at the .875‑mile oval, including the historic inaugural Cup race in 2024.
Blaney’s dominance at Iowa is not new; he also captured an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win in 2015 and a Truck Series triumph in 2012. His recent pole underscores a pattern of strong performances on the track’s tight corners.
Currently third in the Cup Series standings, Blaney trails points leader Denny Hamlin by 120 points with four races remaining before The Chase. He expressed confidence that his team can still contend for the regular‑season championship, calling it “plausible” to finish the season atop the leaderboard.
The qualifying session was marred by mechanical trouble for Hamlin, who encountered brake issues and will start 29th. Kyle Larson will share the front row with Blaney, while Joey Logano qualified third and Brad Keselowski, fourth, may be forced to employ a backup car after a Turn 1 incident.
Defending champion William Byron, who captured the 2024 title, will line up 19th. The race forms part of the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol event, a showcase for the state’s corn‑based fuel initiative.
With the season’s final stretch approaching, the Iowa Speedway showdown promises a clash of experience and youthful vigor, as drivers battle not only for position but also for momentum heading into the playoffs.