The NASCAR Cup Series returns with the Iowa Corn 350 after taking a break last week.
New for Iowa, NASCAR has made an adjustment to end of stage racing. If the caution flag comes out with 10 laps or less remaining in the stage, that will end the stage and any remaining laps will be added to the next stage.
Thirty-six teams brought cars to Iowa for 40 starting spots.
Also beginning this week, the drivers will get a full 50 minute practice session at all tracks where NASCAR has scheduled practice. The teams gets two sets of tires for practice.
NASCAR officials announced that pit road speeds are not available today. Any driver who runs the length of pit road will be assessed a penalty.
With just four weeks remaining in the regular season, the top four drivers – Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and Ty Gibbs – have all secured a spot in the playoffs.
Ryan Preece’s number 60 car failed the inspection process twice; as a result, he has lost his car chief for the remainder of the weekend and will have his pit stall assigned to him by NASCAR. Preece will be allowed to start the race from his qualifying position.
Fifteen minutes into practice, Bubba Wallace tops the leaderboard in single and multiple lap times.
With four races remaining in the regular season, the hot topic in the paddock is points.
Twenty minutes into practice, drivers are running even faster laps than when it was first open to practice.
Chase Elliott gets loose and gets into the wall. He reports damage to the front and rear of the car.
Denny Hamlin reports that his brake pedal goes all the way to the floor.
At the end of practice, Erik Jones topped the leaderboard.
Todd Gilliland’s team had some hauler issues getting to Iowa this week. The tractors broke down…twice. They finally made it to the track on time with the third tractor.
The first driver on the track to make a qualifying run is Connor Zilisch and posted a time of 23.550 seconds.
On his second lap of qualifying, Brad Keselowski got loose and into the wall.
With a time of 23.474 seconds, Ryan Blaney put his number 12 car on the pole with Kyle Larson starting alongside on the front row.
Ryan Blaney is sporting a very special helmet this week – a tribute to Kyle Busch with paint schemes from some of Rowdy’s sponsors.
The starting lineup for the Iowa Corn 350:
Ryan Blaney
Kyle Larson
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Tyler Reddick
Ty Gibbs
Austin Dillon
Connor Zilisch
Ross Chastain
Erik Jones
Michael McDowell
Austin Cindric
Josh Berry
Zane Smith
Noah Gragson
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Todd Gilliland
Carson Hocevar
William Byron
Chase Briscoe
John Hunter Nemechek
Christopher Bell
Shane van Gisbergen
Austin Hill
AJ Allmendinger
Bubba Wallace
Chris Buescher
Riley Herbst
Denny Hamlin
Alex Bowman
Ty Dillon
Chase Elliott
Daniel Suarez
Cody Ware
Ryan Preece
Cole Custer
Stage one is 70 laps with stages two and three lasting 140 laps each for a total of 350 laps – 306 miles – around the 7/8 mile track.
Denny Hamlin will have to start the race from the back of the field after making some brake changes in the number eleven car.
Chase Elliott will also have to start the race from the back of the field after a crash during practice on Saturday.
Brad Keseslowski also had a practice crash and will be starting from the back of the field.
After today’s race, the track is going to be torn up and completely repaved. The track will be ready for the Fourth of July weekend races next year.
The race is a sell out for the third year in a row. And the 10th sellout of the season.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag start of the race on a HOT Sunday afternoon with a temperature of 96 degrees and a heat index of 105 degrees. Temperatures inside the cars will be much hotter!
Starting the race from the front row, Kyle Larson has gone some 50 races without a win.
Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson go side by side before Blaney gets the lead going into the turn.
Lap two, the top five are Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, and Connor Zilisch.
The first caution flag of the race comes out on lap four when Tyler Reddick and Erik Jones crash. Reddick gets loose and turns into Jones. Reddick’s car is towed to the garage. Erik Jones drove back to pit road backwards.
Denny Hamlin is already reporting brake issues even after making adjustments and replacements.
Changing brake pads is against the rules but were allowed to replace rotors.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 13 with Kyle Larson alongside. Blaney gets back out in front for the lead.
The top five are Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs, and Austin Dillon.
Tyler Reddick and Erik Jones are out of the race.
Bubba Wallace has moved up 10 spots since the start of the race.
Lap 17, Ryan Blaney has a near one second lead on Kyle Larson.
Lap 20, after starting back in the field, Bubba Wallace is just outside the top 10 in eleventh.
Despite brake issues, Denny Hamlin is in 26th.
Lap 23, Ryan Blaney has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Kyle Larson; Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs, and Austin Dillon round out the top five.
Out of the care center, Tyler Reddick noted that he made a “killer mistake” early and felt bad for taking out Erik Jones.
Lap 41, Ryan Blaney has pulled out to a lead of over four seconds on Kyle Larson.
Carson Hocevar reports the engine is starting to miss.
Lap 46, the top five are Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, ty Gibbs, and Austin Dillon.
Lap 48, leader Ryan Blaney has begun lapping slower traffic.
Now in second, Joey Logano has begun closing the gap on teammate and leader Ryan Blaney. There is now less than four seconds between the two drivers.
With 18 laps remaining in the stage, Ryan Blaney has a three second lead on Joey Logano; Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, and Austin Dillon round out the top five.
Denny Hamlin has entered the top 20.
With jut nine laps remaining in stage one, Ryan Blaney continues to lap slower cars including Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece.
Denny Hamlin gets loose but saved the car and kept it out of the wall.
Ty Biggs and Kyle Larson battle for third.
Ryan Blaney’s lead on Joey Logano is down to under two seconds.
Ryan Blaney wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano
Kyle Larson
Ty Gibbs
Austin Dillon
Ross Chastain
Christopher Bell
Chase Briscoe
Connor Zilisch
Zane Smith
Drivers come down pit road for service with Ryan Blaney winning the race off of pit road; followed by Joey Logano.
Chase Elliott is the “lucky dog”.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two from the outside lane on lap 79 with Joey Logano alongside. Blaney edges out for the lead.
The top five are Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell.
Bubba Wallace is in the top 10; but Ty Gibbs had a slow pit stop and has dropped outside the top 20 in 28th place.
Carson Hocevar’s crew chief reported that the likely issues is valve train related and there is nothing they can do about the issue.
Lap 86, in fifth place, Bubba Wallace has moved up 20 spots since the start of the race.
Lap 87, Ryan Blaney leads the race with Joey Logano in second; Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
The caution flag comes out on lap 91 when Shane van Gisbergen spins out but keeps it off the wall. He is stopped on the track but gets it moving. On a very hot day, his cool suit has failed.
Carson Hocevar brings his car down pit road and has the hood up as the crew continues to diagnose the problem.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Ryan Blaney winning the race off of pit road with Joey Logano right behind.
After staying out on the track, Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane on 98. Getting a push from Joey Logano, Chase Elliott edges out for the lead.
The caution flag comes out when Ricky Stenhouse Jr spins out and gets into the wall after some four wide racing.
Carson Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr will have to restart the race from the back of the field after pitting while pit road was closed.
Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 104 with Ryan Blaney alongside. Chase Ellioott takes the lead but Bubba Walalce comes up on the inside to take the lead.
Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace battle for the lead.
Lap 108, Bubba Wallace is the new leader.
Lap 109, the top five are Bubba Wallace, Chase Ellioott, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Austin Dillon.
Denny Hamlin has entered the top 10.
Lap 111, Ryan Blaney passes Chase Elliott for second.
Lap 113, Cody Ware and Carson Hocevar are the only cars on the track not on the lead lap.
Austin Dillon and Joey Logano battle for fourth.
Christopher Bell gets loose but saved the car and the track stays green.
Lap 121, Bubba Wallace holds a third of a second lead on Ryan Blaney; Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and Austin Dillon round out the top five.
Lap 125, Denny Hamlin passes Kyle Larson for eighth place.
Lap 130, Bubba Wallace has a lead of over half a second on Ryan Blaney; Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.
Lap 138, Kyle Larson noted that it’s like the pace picked up and he can’t do it.
Joey Logano notes that there is a lot of stuff going on but he doesn’t know what to do.
Lap 139, Bubba Wallace has a near one second lead on Ryan Blaney.
Carson Hocevar brings out the caution flag on lap 141 when he gets loose and spins out.
Chase Briscoe’s brake issues have arrived. Denny Hamlin has appeared to solved his brake issues.
Some of the drivers come down pit road for service with Joey Logano winning the race off of pit road. Chase Ellioott had a bad pit stop with a jack issue.
Bubba Wallace was caught speeding on pit road and will have to restart the race from the back of the field
After staying out on the track, Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 148. Bell takes the lead with Denny Hamlin in second. Drivers are getting three and four wide to bring out the caution flag on lap 149. Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson make contact and Bowman hits the wall. Riley Herbst and Ryan Preece were also a part of the four wide battle.
Kyle Larson is on pit road for an extended stop with a tow link issue.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 155. Bell and Denny Hamlin battle for the lead.
Super loose on restarts, Ryan Blaney gets high on the track.
Lap 158, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe battle for second with Christopher Bell in the lead for a JGR 1-2-3. Ty Gibbs is in 10th.
Lap 160, the top five are Christoher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain.
Ryan Blaney has fallen out of the top 10 to 14th.
Lap 167, Bubba Wallace has re-entered the top 20.
Kyle Larson returns to the track three laps down.
Lap 181, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a lead of over three seconds on Chase Briscoe; Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain round out the top five.
Ty Gibbs passes William Byron for sixth.
Ty Gibbs reports that he is “so loose” right now.
Lap 186, Christopher Bell has increased his lead to over four seconds on Chase Briscoe.
Lap 194, Joey Logano passes Denny Hamlin for third.
Just 15 laps remain in stage two. Ross Chastain battles with Denny Hamlin for fourth.
Ty Gibbs passes Denny Hamlin for fifth.
Joey Logano and Chase Briscoe battle for second.
With 10 laps remaining in stage two, there are 29 cars on the lead lap.
Ross Chastain passes Chase Briscoe for third.
Ty Gibbs passes teammate Chase Briscoe for fourth.
With six laps remaining in stage two, Chrisotpher Bell is on the bumper of Shane van Gisbergen’s car and looking to put the 97 car one lap down.
Three laps remain in stage two, Christoher Bell’s lead on Joey Logano is down to just a second and a half.
Christopher Bell wins stage two:
the top 10 at the end of stage two:
Christoher Bell
Joey Logano
Ross Chastain
Ty Gibbs
Chase Briscoe
Denny Hamlin
William Byron
Ryan Blaney
Zane Smith
Connor Zilisch
Drivers come down pit road for service with Ryan Blaney winning the race off of pit road after taking just two tires.
Joey Logano’s crew had to push him back into his pit stall to tighten a tire.
Chase Elliott stayed out on the track and will bring the field to the green flag.
Kyle Larson was charged with improper fueling. Riley Herbst was charged with speeding on pit road.
Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with Ryan Blaney alongside on lap 219. Ryan Blaney edges out to lead the race. Christopher Bell makes it a three way battle for the lead.
Lap 220, Ryan Blaney has pulled out to a half second lead on Chase Elliott; Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Kyle Larson is off the track and has taken his car to the garage.
Lap 225, Christopher Bell passes Chase Elliott for second; Ryan Blaney has a lead of over a second and a half on Christoher Bell.
Lap 227, the top five are Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Ross Chattain, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin.
Kyle Larson returns to the race 16 laps down.
Denny Hamlin reports there are still major brake issues.
Lap 233, Christopher Bell has closed the gap on leader Ryan Blaney to under a second and a half; Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Alex Bowman returns to the track 87 laps down.
Lap 237, the drivers are now in their window to make it to the end of the race with a pit stop.
With 105 laps remaining in the race, Ty Gibbs battles with Ross Chastain for third.
Lap 245, Christopher Bell closes the gap on leader Ryan Blaney to under half a second; Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 247, Christopher Bell has caught leader Ryan Blaney and the battle for the lead begins…
Lap 254, Christopher Bell passes Ryan Blaney for the lead.
Lap 255, Chase Elliott makes his pit stop.
Lap 257, Christopher Bell has a lead of nearly a second on Ryan Blaney; Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney reports that he need “way more rear grip”.
Just 84 laps remain in the race, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a two second lead on Ryan Blaney; Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain battle back and forth for fourth.
Ty Gibbs reports that there is oil on the track.
Ty Gibbs passes Ryan Blaney for second; he is over two and a half seconds behind leader Christopher Bell.
There are only 23 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 282, Ty Gibbs is closing the gap on leader Christopher Bell; the lead is down to two seconds.
Lap 285, Ryan Blaney is the first driver to make the final green flag pit stop.
Lap 287, leader Christopher Bell is mired in slower traffic. Bell’s lead is now down to under two seconds.
With 63 laps to go, more drivers are making their green flag pit stops.
Sixty to go, Christopher Bell makes his green flag pit stop. Ty Gibbs also comes down pit road.
Ross Chastain is the new leader with 57 laps to go.
Ty Gibbs passes Ross Chastain to unlap himself and get back on the lead lap.
With 49 laps to go, Christopher Bell passes Austin Hill and has less than a second to catch teammate Ty Gibbs.
There are only 12 cars on the lead lap.
With 45 laps to go, Christopher Bell has caught Ty Gibbs and begin a battle for position…and the eventual lead.
Just 42 laps to go, Ross Chastain has a 10 second lead on Noah Gragson.
With just eight cars on the lead lap, the top four drivers have yet to make their pit stops.
Just 36 laps to go and only eight cars on the lead lap.
Thirty to go, the top five are Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson, Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Ryan Blaney.
With just 24 laps remaining in the race, only Ross Chastain stands between Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell for a battle of the lead.
Christopher Bell has six second place finishes this season.
Ross Chastain makes his pit stop with just 20 laps to go; giving the lead over to Ty Gibbs with Christopher Bell in second less than half a second back.
There are now 12 cars on the lead lap.
With 16 laps to go, Christopher Bell slowly closes the gap to leader Ty Gibbs.
Ten to go, Ty Gibbs has just a quarter of a second lead on Ty Gibbs.
Six to go, leader Ty Gibbs and Chirstopher Bell are just a third of a second apart as the battle continues.
Ty Gibbs takes the white flag.
Ty Gibbs wins the race by less than a quarter of a second over Christopher Bell.
The unofficial results of the Iowa Corn 350:
Ty Gibbs
Christopher Bell
Ryan Blaney
Josh Berry
Denny Hamlin
Chase Briscoe
Ross Chastain
AJ Allmendinger
William Byron
Austin Dillon
Connor Zilisch
Bubba Wallace
Chris Buescher
Joey Logano
Chasse Elliott
Zane Smith
Noah Gragson
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
John Hunter Nemechek
Ryan Preece
Riley Herbst
Todd Gilliland
Daniel Suarez
Ty Dillon
Michael McDowell
Austin Hill
Brad Keselowski
Cole Custer
Austin Cindric
Shane van Gisbergen
Carson Hocevar
Cody Ware
Kyle Larson
Alex Bowman
Erik Jones
Tyler Reddick