Iowa Preview: The Last Bullring?

thepitwindow

IndyCar returns to its roots this weekend at Iowa Speedway, the 7/8-mile oval in Newton. Sukup has taken over as sponsor of the two 275 lap races. The action is usually fast and furious on this bullring of a track, but last year it wasn’t furious. The event has been a double header since 2020, but there was no race in 2021. Although Alex Palou is running away with the championship, storylines abound this weekend.

A Return in 2026?

With the Texas race and possibly Mexico City joining the schedule next year, a double header at Iowa is unlikely. But will there be a race at all? Attendance has dwindled since the first big four concert weekend in 2022, and the racing last year was the worst in IndyCar’s time at the track.

The series and Firestone are working to help the competition. The tire company is bringing a new right front tire, and the series is shifting the point of downforce to the front of the car and lowering engine power.

Still unless the cars get lots of time to rubber in the second lane, we may see a parade again. From driver comments after the test a couple weeks ago, it seems there is some hope but little optimism for a better show. The 21 cars at the test did not use the changes to the cars.

Weather may be a factor this weekend, notably Friday and Saturday. Any high line work could be moot if rain washes away the rubber laid down in the outside line.

This track was made for night racing. IndyCar should return to a race beginning at dusk at Iowa. The night shows produced the best racing here.

If there is to be a double header, the races should be different lengths so that we don’t see two near identical pitstop patterns. Saturday’s race should be 300 laps, and the series should run 250 laps on Sunday.

Penske Rebound, Part 5

I have asked this several times this season, but this weekend is likely Team Penske’s last and maybe best chance for s great result in 2025. Josef Newgarden has won at Iowa six times, most recently in Race 2 in 2023. Scott McLaughlin and Will power have also won here. The pair split last year’s races. Team Penske has won nine times in the 21 Iowa races.

Notes

I think we are likely to see the 4th different winner of 2025 in at least one of the races. Pato O’Ward has a strong record here, finishing near the top several times and winning in 2022 race 2 after coming home second in race 1.

Conor Daly was fastest in the recent Iowa test, and one other driver believes he has a good shat at victory.

David Malukas is my pick to win one of the races and earn his first IndyCar win. For the other race, look for Colton Herta to finally break through.

I will be enroute to Newton Friday morning and should arrive at the track before the practice period begins.

I will provide weather updates along the way.

Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend Fast Facts 

thepitwindow
 Race weekend: Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13Track: Iowa Speedway, a 7/8-mile (0.894-mile) oval in Newton, Iowa
Race distance: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Synk 275 powered by Sukup: 275 laps / 245.85 miles (Saturday) | Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup: 275 laps / 245.85 miles (Sunday) | INDY NXT by Firestone: INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway: 75 laps / 67.05 miles

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 125 kilojoules (kJ) per lap.
Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Thirteen sets for use through the doubleheader weekend. An extra set will be available for the high-line session on Friday. | INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets for use through the event weekend. A carryover set from June’s test day may be used for the first 10 minutes of Practice 1.X: @indycaratiowa, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
Instagram: @indycaratiowa, @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
Threads: @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT
Facebook: @indycaratiowa, @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
TikTok: @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
YouTube: @INDYCAR
Event website: www.indycaratiowa.com
INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com
2024 race winners:
NTT INDYCAR SERIESScott McLaughlin (No. 3 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet), Race #1Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet), Race #2INDY NXT by FirestoneLouis Foster (No. 26 Andretti Global
)2024 NTT P1 Award winners:
Colton Herta (No. 26 Gainbridge Honda), 17.5606 seconds, 187.655 mph (Race 1);Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet), 17.0966 seconds, 188.248 mph (Race 2)
2024 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner: James Roe (No. 29 Andretti Global), 37.7248 seconds, 170.625 mph (two laps)
One-lap qualifying record:
NTT INDYCAR SERIESScott McLaughlin, 17.0966 seconds, 188.248 mph, July 13,
2024INDY NXT by Firestone James Roe, 18.8114 seconds, 171.088 mph, July 12, 2024
Two-lap qualifying record:I NDY NXT by FirestoneJames Roe, 37.7248 seconds, 170.625 mph, July 12, 2024
FOX Sports telecasts: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Practice 1, 3:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Qualifying, noon ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Synk 275 powered by Sukup Race, 5 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX (live); Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup Race, 1 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters.
 INDY NXT by Firestone: Practice 1, 2:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Qualifying, 6:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Race, 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter
.INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes serves as the anchor, alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Michael Young is the turn announcer. Alex Wollf, Drake York and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Synk 275 powered by Sukup race (4:30 p.m. ET Saturday), Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup race (12:30 p.m. ET Sunday), INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway (1:25 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 218, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
At-track schedule (all times Central)
:FRIDAY, JULY 11
1:30-2:15 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Practice, FS2 (live
)2:35 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Installation Laps (one time by), FS2 (live)
2:40-3:20 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES High-Line Session (Two groups, two 10-minute sessions each), FS2 (live)
3:30-5 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice, FS2 (live)
5:35-6:20 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Single car, two laps), FS2 (live)
SATURDAY, JULY 12
11:05 a.m. Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (Single car, two laps (Lap 1/Race 1; Lap 2/Race 2), FS1 (live)
12:31 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway “Drivers, start your engines”)
12:35 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway (75 laps/67.05 miles), FS1 (live)
4 p.m. FOX on air
4:15 p.m. Synk 275 powered by Sukup “Drivers, start your engines”
4:20 p.m. Synk 275 powered by Sukup (275 laps/245.85 miles), FOX (live)
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Noon FOX on air
12:15 p.m. Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup “Drivers, start your engines”
12:20 p.m. Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup (275 laps/245.85 miles), FOX (live)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes:The Synk 275 powered by Sukup and Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup will be the 11th and 12th races of the 2025 season. There have been three winners in 10 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in the 2025 season. Alex Palou (Streets of St. Petersburg, The Thermal Club, Barber Motorsports Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Indianapolis 500 and Road America), Kyle Kirkwood (Streets of Long Beach, Streets of Detroit and World Wide Technology Raceway) and Scott Dixon (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course).
The Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend doubleheader, featuring the Synk 275 powered by Sukup and Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup, will be the third and fourth oval races of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. The previous two oval races of the season were won by Alex Palou (Indianapolis 500) and Kyle Kirkwood (World Wide Technology Raceway). The remaining oval races will take place on Aug. 24 at the Milwaukee Mile and Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.
The Synk 275 powered by Sukup and Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup will be the 22nd and 23rd NTT INDYCAR SERIES events at Iowa Speedway. Josef Newgarden is the only entered driver to win at Iowa Speedway more than once. Newgarden has six wins (2016, 2019, 2020 Race #2, 2022 Race #1, 2023 Race #1 and 2023 Race #2). Past winners Pato O’Ward (2022 Race #2), Scott McLaughlin (2024 Race #1) and Will Power (2024 Race #2) are also entered in the event.
Team Penske has won nine of the 21 previous races at Iowa Speedway, including eight of the last 10 races. (Helio Castroneves 2017, Josef Newgarden 2019, 2020 Race #2, 2022 Race #1, 2023 Race #1 and 2023 Race #2. Simon Pagenaud 2020 Race #1, Scott McLaughlin 2024 Race #1 and Will Power 2024 Race #2). Andretti Global has seven wins (Dario Franchitti 2007, Tony Kanaan 2010, Marco Andretti 2011, Ryan Hunter-Reay 2012, 2014 and 2015 and James Hinchcliffe 2013).
Chip Ganassi Racing has two wins (Dan Wheldon 2008 and Franchitti 2009).
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dario Franchitti and Josef Newgarden are the only drivers to win at Iowa Speedway and win the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship in the same season. Newgarden accomplished the feat in 2019, Hunter-Reay in 2012 and Franchitti in 2007 and 2009. Scott Dixon is the only driver to have competed in every NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Iowa, and although he has 13 top-five finishes in his previous 21 starts on the oval, he’s never won at “The World’s Fastest Short Track.”
Thirteen entered drivers have led laps at the track (Josef Newgarden 1,847, Will Power 433, Scott McLaughlin 260, Dixon 131, Alex Palou 104, Pato O’Ward 97, Colton Herta 86, Graham Rahal 32, Conor Daly 17, Felix Rosenqvist 9, Alexander Rossi 4, Marcus Ericsson 3, and David Malukas 1).
Milestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 350th and 351st consecutive starts, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record streak…Graham Rahal will attempt to make his 250th and 251st consecutive start, the third-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Josef Newgarden will attempt to make his 213th and 214th consecutive starts, the sixth-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Pato O’Ward will attempt to make his 100th INDYCAR SERIES start in Saturday’s Synk 275 powered by Sukup…Callum Ilott will attempt to make his 50th start in Sunday’s Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup…Dixon passed Mario Andretti for the INDYCAR SERIES record for starts with his 408th start May 25 at Indianapolis and will extend his record to 414 with starts Saturday and Sunday…Dixon’s win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 6 – his 59th INDYCAR SERIES win – extended four other ongoing INDYCAR SERIES records he holds: Seasons with a win (23), consecutive seasons with a win (21), podium finishes (144) and top-five finishes (214).
INDY NXT by Firestone Race Notes:The INDY NXT by Firestone title fight between Andretti Global drivers Dennis Hauger and Lochie Hughes moves to Iowa Speedway for the first of three ovals in the final six races. Hauger, who has recorded five wins this season, heads to Iowa with a 47-point lead over Hughes, a two-time race winner this season. The ultra-competitive 2025 season has seen three winners in eight races so far, with six different drivers finishing on the podium.The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Iowa Speedway will be the series’ 13th race at Iowa Speedway. Previous INDY NXT by Firestone winners at Iowa include Josef Newgarden, Ana Beatriz, Sage Karam, Matheus Leist, Pato O’Ward, Hunter McElrea, Christian Rasmussen and Louis Foster. 

Pre-Race Notes: Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway

thepitwindow

From Firetsone:

The Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend takes place at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet ” in Newton, Iowa, and features three races on the 0.875-mile oval; Two NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, the “Synk 275” and “Farm to Finish 275” doubleheader, as well as an INDY NXT By Firestone race.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Firestone will supply approximately 1,800 Firestone Firehawk race tires for practice, qualifying, and the pair of 275-lap (245.85 miles) races. Notably, the race distance for both events has been extended by 25 laps from last year.

Qualifying for both races will take place Saturday, July 12, with the first race of the doubleheader, the “Synk 275”, set for later that afternoon, and the “Farm to Finish 275” to take place on Sunday, July 13.

Each NTT INDYCAR SERIES entry will receive the following Firestone Firehawk race tire allocation:

  • 13 sets of tires per entry
  • One additional set of non-race spec tires designated solely for use in highline practice

Notes from Cara Krstolic, Director of Race Tire Engineering and Manufacturing:

Following the June test at Iowa Speedway, we conducted a full analysis of the data collected, and in partnership with INDYCAR, made the decision to build a new right-front race tire. This tire features a slightly revised construction to better handle the extreme loads experienced during the test session. A similar construction has been used successfully at Iowa Speedway in previous races.

The left side tires are the same construction and compounds as the Indianapolis 500 with a smaller stagger from last year at Iowa to help drivers run multiple lines during the race.

The right-side tire compounds remain unchanged from last year, as they performed well in managing the heat generated by Iowa Speedway’s high speeds and temperatures.

INDY NXT by Firestone

Firestone is providing close to 300 race tires for practice, qualifying and Saturday afternoon’s 75-lap (67.05 miles or 55-minute) INDY NXT by Firestone race at Iowa Speedway.

Each INDY NXT by Firestone entry will receive the following race tire allocation:

  • 3 sets per entry

Notes from Cara Krstolic, Director of Race Tire Engineering and Manufacturing, on INDY NXT by Firestone tires:

The INDY NXT by Firestone oval tire for Iowa Speedway features a similar right-side tire design to last year but with a lighter tread gauge. Both right side tires will have the same compound specifications as in 2024 at Iowa. The left side tires have the same construction and compounds as last year.

Quick Thoughts- Honda Indy 200

thepitwindow

One seventh win prevented another. Scott Dixon won his seventh race at Mid Ohio, keeping Alex Palou from winning his seventh race of the season.

The predictable turned unpredictable in the closing laps at Mid Ohio as Dixon took advantage of a rare mistake by Palou to take the lead with five laps to go and turn what had been an unremarkable race into a thrilling finish, winning the Honda Indy 200 for the seventh time. Palou appeared to have another win tucked away before going off track in turn nine and watching his teammate zip by.

“Just a mistake,” Palou said.

It’s nice to know he is human after all.

Dixon is the third different winner of the 2025 season. He keeps a streak intact of winning at least one ace for 21 consecutive seasons. Dixon now has 59 victories in his IndyCar career.

The Penske Spiral

The lost season continues for Josef Newgarden. Newgarden spun just after the start of the race when his rear brakes locked. Graham Rahal made contact but was able to continue. Today marked the fifth finish in the 20s for Newgarden.

Will Power came into the pits after one lap with a fire at the rear of the car. Scott McLaughlin finished 23rd, one lap down.

Great Drives

Pato O’Ward started 14th and finished fifth.

Felix Rosenqvist started 15th and finished sixth.

Rinus VeeKay started 26th and came home ninth.

Kyffin Simpson’s hiccup on his last stop may have cost him a podium, which would have made for a Ganassi 1-2-3 finish. Four of the top 11 finishers today have five or fewer years in IndyCar.

Colton Herta may have lost a podium with a slow last pit stop.

Mid Ohio announced a record crowd today. I can believe it from the traffic entering the track this morning.

Results

That will do it for me today. Thanks for following along this weekend.

Mid Ohio Race Day

thepitwindow

Today’s schedule:

TimeSeriesSession
8:20 AM – 9:00 AMUSF2000Race 3
9:32 AM – 9:57 AM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup
10:36 AM – 11:31 AMINDY NXT by FirestoneRace
12:20 PM – 12:50 PMFan Grid WalkEnter through the Paddock
12:27 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESDriver Introductions
1:22 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESThe Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport (90 Laps)

Three words for the day- Hydrate, Shade, Sunscreen. The high will be 90 degrees again today, so please take care.

The alternate tire may be the rubber of choice today. Drivers who did not make the Fast Six will have an extra set of reds available for the race.

If anyone can beat Alex Palou today, Christian Lundgaard could be the driver to do it. He has been one of the fastest drivers all weekend.

Heat

Several drivers will be wearing cool suits today as they try to combat the heat.

How will heat affect the hybrids? The units have had a tendency to overheat in similar weather conditions.

I look for a three stop race unless we have a lot of caution periods. The trend this season has been for cautions in the first half of the race, then green for most of the second half.

I will be back after warmup with starting tire selections, and Iwill have a brief race wrap up after thr=e race.

Mid Ohio Qualifying- New Fast Six, Same Result

thepitwindow

A Fast Six combination that has never been seen before ended with the same result. Nolan Siegel and Kyffin Simpson joined Christian Lundgaard, Louis Foster, Alex Palou, and Colton Herta in the final round.

Foster looked to be on track for his second straight pole, and Lundgaard had shown a lot of strength in practice. But in the end, Alex Palou won his third pole of the season as his dominance continues.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was Kyle Kirkwood not advancing to the Fast Six. Kirkwood finished seventh in Round 2. Scott Dixon will start ninth.

Team Penske woes continue as Josef Newgarden is their best qualifier in 18th. Will Power and Scott McLaughlin share row 11.

Arrow McLaren placed two cars in the Fast Six,k but Pato OWard, last year’s winner at Mid Ohio, was not one of them. He will start 15th tomorrow. Christian Lundgaard has emerged as the team leader.

Pato O’Ward during qualifying today.

Rinus VeeKay lost his best lap for causing a local yellow and will start 26th.

Christian Rasmussen qualified 10th but will start 16th because of an engine penalty.

Notes

It is nice to start seeing some new drivers in the Fast Six. Foster has a pole and has made two consecutive Fast Six rounds. Siegel seems to have found his groove after a challenging early season. Simpson has show quiet but steady improvement.

Palou just missed turning a lap under 1:05. Lundgaard was 0.19 seconds behind him.

Siegel, Herta, and Foster were more than a second slower than Palou. In today’s IndyCar, that is a huge difference.

Results

Mid Ohio Practice 2 and Qualifying Groups

thepitwindow

Alex Palou led the final practice before qualifying for the Honda Indy 200 in a session full of off track excursions. Palou led a top five of Christian Lundgaard, Louis Foster, Pato O’Ward, and Felix Rosenqvist. The gap between first and fifth was three tenths of a second.

\Marcus Ericsson went off in turn 13 and hit the tire barrier, bringing out a red flag with 21 minutes left in the session. Colton herta went into the sand at turn four but kept going, reentering the track at the entrance to turn 5, r missing an approaching car. Scott McLaughlin also tried out the turn 4 trap and the grass. He nearly stalled, but he kept the car moving and continued on track.

Gapping

Will Power and Colton Herta both complained about cars backing up on track to create a gap in order to get a decent lap in practice. I saw a near collision in turn 4 this morning because a car was creeping along on the racing line. It was so blatant I thought the driver deserved a drive through.

If a car wants to get clear track, which I get, he needs to stay off the racing line until he is up to speed.

Results

Qualifying Groups