Iowa Speedway, a 0.875-mile oval located in Newton, Iowa, is set to have NASCAR on its schedule of events once again, with the announcement on Tuesday that both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series will return in June 2024.
Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa, made the announcement of NASCAR’s return to the state of Iowa, via a press conference on Tuesday, October 3rd. Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck of The Athletic first reported the news on Monday.
The first-ever NASCAR Cup Series event at Iowa Speedway will take place on Sunday, June 16th, 2024 at 6:00 PM CT on USA Network, the final event of what will be an action-packed weekend of racing in Iowa.
“Today’s announcement is an exciting one for NASCAR and for race fans in the state of Iowa,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “They have long sought a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, and we’re happy to deliver that for them. We fully expect this to be one of the most highly-anticipated dates on the 2024 schedule and an amazing weekend of NASCAR racing in The Hawkeye State.”
In addition to the Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will also return to Iowa Speedway for an event on Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at 2:30 PM CT on USA Network. The ARCA Menards Series will continue its tradition of racing at the facility, as well.
“The things Iowans value most are what NASCAR represents best—hard work, family, and community—which is exactly why our partnership has always been a natural fit,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. “We’re thrilled to bring a NASCAR Cup Series race to Iowa Speedway next summer and for this incredible opportunity to introduce millions of racing fans to our great state.”
Iowa Corn will serve as the entitlement partner for the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at Iowa Speedway. Comprised of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn works to unlock the potential of corn in a sustainable manner to meet the global need for food and energy.
“Iowa Corn is no stranger to racing and the Iowa Speedway as we helped introduce farmer-produced biofuels to consumers through race sponsorships for a dozen years,” shared Craig Floss, Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “By bringing the NASCAR Cup Series to Iowa, farmers are able to showcase the power and performance of Sunoco Green E15 at the fastest short-track on the planet, which is surrounded by corn fields, the very source of that amazing, renewable, homegrown, and affordable biofuel.”
The name and logo for next season’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Iowa Speedway will be announced at a later date.
The facility, designed by 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Rusty Wallace, made its first appearance on both the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series schedules in 2009, where it would several events in both series until 2019.
“This is a dream come true,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, Iowa Speedway’s co-founder and designer. “This track was built with the intent of hosting a NASCAR Cup Series race one day, and to finally see it come together is a testament to the tenacity of the great race fans in Iowa.”
With three victories apiece, Brad Keselowski and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. are the winningest drivers in the history of the Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway. Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, William Byron, and Christopher Bell are among other notable winners at the facility.
“For years, the Iowa community has patiently waited for the NASCAR Cup Series to come to town,” said Keselowski. “It is with great pleasure for all of the racing community to announce they will finally see that dream come together. Iowa truly is a hotbed for motorsports fans, I saw that enthusiasm firsthand in 2009 for the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and can’t wait to see the atmosphere on race day in 2024.”
Additional information surrounding the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Iowa Speedway, including on-sale ticket information, and amenities, will also be announced at a later date.
