Tag: Iowa Speedway

Iowa Saturday-Two Days in One

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Revised schedule: All times Central.

Gates open at 10 am.

Only Indy NXT qualifying has not carried over.

An install lap at 8:55 am begins the day.

IndyCar practice will consist of two groups doing high line practice for 15 minutes each followed by a 45 minute full field practice.

The Indy NXT grid is set by points standings. Dennis Hauger will start on pole.

The time between qualifying and the race may be a concern for anyone having an issue on their qualifying run.

I was wondering why this was a three day event to begin with.

I now television had a big say here, but IndyCar had an opportunity top move today’s race to a night contest.

Thunderstorm Washes Out NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice at Iowa Speedway 

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From IndyCar:

 NEWTON, Iowa (Friday, July 11, 2025) – Inclement weather forced the cancellation of the first day of NTT INDYCAR SERIES action at Iowa Speedway, setting up a busy two days for the Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES races will be held as scheduled. The Synk 275 powered by Sukup is set for 5 p.m. ET Saturday followed by the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Both races will air live on FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be first on the .894-mile oval Saturday with install laps beginning at 9:55 a.m. followed by 30 minutes of high-line group running. All cars will get 45 minutes of regular practice beginning at 10:45 a.m. FS2 will air live coverage of the sessions.
The 75-lap INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway race will be held at noon ET on FS1
.NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying will move to 1:30 p.m. on FS1. Each car will be permitted two timed laps, the first helping to set the starting lineup for the Synk 275 powered by Sukup. The second lap will do the same for the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup.

Iowa Preview: The Last Bullring?

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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 

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 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

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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- Iowa Race 2

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Alex Palou summed it up.

“It was a boring race,” he told the media in the post race press conference. Scott McLaughlin echoed those thoughts.

Today’s race pretty much turned out the way I expected. I thought there might be another yellow or two.

This weekend at Iowa we saw two races without a single on track pass for the lead. Today it was an overcut pit stop by Will Power that got him to the front. With the lack of passing Power cruised to the victory.

Update-Sting Ray Robb is awake and alert after his horrific flip at the checkered flag. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

There is a consensus among the drivers that something must be done to improve this race. Power said a second lane “…would make this race amazing.”

He suggested a softer tire and a lighter car asn two possible solutions. he surface in turns also needs some attention.

Iowa used to be really fun track. I almost wish that they would bring back the bump in turn 2.

The last lap incident cost Kyle Kirkwood his top 10 streak.

Nice Recoveries

Colton Herta and Alex Palou bounced back from difficult Race 1 results. Palou crashed Saturday and finished 23rd.

Herta finished mid pack last night after getting caught out by a yellow just after he pitted.

Palou was 2nd today and Herta was 5th.

Good Weekends

Rinus VeeKay earned a top 10 in both races.

Pato O’Ward finished second and sixth. he moves to third int he standings, 52 points behind Palou. Power takes over second, just 35 points behind. The battle for second is helping Palou keep his lead.

Final Thought

I’m glad Indycar and Iowa have extended their agreement. If both parties want a race here, Indycar and the track have to work together to find a solution to get the racing back to where it was.

I love this track. the quick laps are incredible to watch, but I want to see good racing, which was in very short supply this weekend.

Indycar can’t control where NASCAR races, b ut if a track wants Indycar as well, a compromise needs to be reached so that both series can put on a great show.

I will have a final wrap-up tomorrow. Thanks for following along on what was a very quick trip.

Race Day 2- Deja Vu?

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Good morning from Iowa Speedway as we get ready for a very early Race 2. Scott McLaughlin has to be the favorite. he has had the fastest car all weekend

Today’s schedule, including the all important concert times:.

9-9:05 am: All cars install lap
9:05-9:20 am: Special session for 18 car
10:41 am: Driver Intros
11:03 am: Invocation
11:04 am: Anthem
11:25 pm: Command
11:30 pm: Green Flag
2 pm: @KelseaBallerini Concert
3:45 pm: @PostMalone Concert

Conor Daly will replace Jjack Harvey in the 18. Harvey is suffering from neck and back pain. he drove in last night’s race but dropped out and to be helped out of the car.

Today’s revised lineup:

Yesterday’s race presented a strong case why t Iowa needs to be a true night race. The racing got so uch better once the sun went behind the grandstands. I have attended both day and night races here, and the night races are many times better. A start tie 30 minutes before sunset would be ideal.

In the media availability after the race last night, Pato O’Ward spoke out about how the repave has changed the track. “They ruined a good race,” he said.

I will be back after the race with a brief post with some thoughts, and I will have a weekend wrap-up tomorrow..

McLaughlin Takes Race 1- Some Thoughts

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

The racing was good- what there was of it. Six caution periods slowed the pace. No matter how slow the pace car leads the field around, cautions eat laps quickly on a 7/8 mile track.

Early on we saw a great duel between Colton Herta and Scott McLaughlin. When McLaughlin beat Herta out of the pits, the race was pretty much over.

In the post race press conference, Pato O’Ward talked about how the repave hurt the racing. “You couldn’t get by anybody,” he said. The track seemed to get racier when the sun went behind the grandstands.

We don’t normally see this much attrition in an Indycar race. The half dozen cautions and the number of cars dropping out made the race a bit old school.

McLaughlin starts on pole tomorrow, and he has a great chance of sweeping the weekend. The driver may change, but the team remains the same.

McLaughlin says he can now call himself an Indycar driver since he’s won on an oval. “I’m proud to say I’ve won on all three types of courses, ” McLaughlin said.

O’Ward is now second in points, just 37 behind Alex Palou. Will Power and Scott Dixon are also within 50 points of Palou. The standings are refreshing to see after last year’s runaway by Palou.

Kyle Kirkwood notched another Top 10, as did Santino Ferrucci. Both have been consistent all season,. The logjam of drivers who usually get Top 5s is keeping them from moving up a bit.

I will have a pre race post early tomorrow morning. remember, the race begins at 12:30 pm Eastern