Iowa Corn 350 Returns to Iowa Speedway
The NASCAR Cup Series is set to return to Iowa Speedway on August 9 for the Iowa Corn 350, a 350‑lap event that covers 306.25 miles and is split into three stages of 70, 140 and 140 laps. The race will be shown on USA Network, with pre‑race coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET and the green flag scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Ryan Blaney will start from the pole after winning last year’s edition, and he enters the weekend trailing points leader Denny Hamlin by 120 points. Blaney is one of four drivers who have already secured a spot in the Chase and is eager to close the gap in the final four races before the playoffs.
Denny Hamlin, who started 29th because of qualifying issues, currently leads the championship, giving Blaney a clear opportunity to gain ground. The series has introduced a new caution rule that allows a stage to be completed if a caution comes out within the final ten laps, a change that Kyle Larson has praised for removing wasted yellow‑flag time and one‑lap shootouts.
Brad Keselowski, sitting 50 points behind his teammate Austin Cindric for the 16th and final Chase position, is another driver to watch on the 1.5‑mile oval, while William Byron, the 2025 winner, is searching for his first victory of the season.
The event promises a competitive battle as the series heads into its concluding stretch, with the stage format, the new caution protocol, and a deep points battle all set to shape the outlook heading into the Chase.