Venue: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Scheduled Green Flag: 3:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
VENUE & TRACK PROFILE — IOWA SPEEDWAY
Location: Newton, Iowa
Opened: 2006
Track Length: 0.875 miles (7/8‑mile)
Configuration: D‑shaped oval
Banking:
Turns 1 & 2: 12–14 degrees
Turns 3 & 4: 10–12 degrees
Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Backstretch: 4 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,075 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,400 feet
Surface: Asphalt
Race Distance: 250 laps / 218.75 miles
Track Character: Short‑track feel with intermediate‑style speeds; multi‑groove racing; heavy tire wear; strong emphasis on corner entry stability.
WEATHER FORECAST — NEWTON, IA
Temperature: 84°F at race start
Humidity: 58%
Wind: 9 mph from the southwest
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Track Impact: Warm temps increase tire falloff; wind direction may affect entry into Turn 1 and exit off Turn 4.
KEY DRIVER MATCHUPS
1. Sam Mayer vs Chandler Smith
Mayer thrives on worn surfaces and aggressive restarts. Smith excels in long‑run pace. Iowa’s tire wear makes this a compelling contrast.
2. Cole Custer vs Justin Allgaier
Custer’s smooth corner entry vs Allgaier’s short‑track aggression. Allgaier has historically dominated Iowa‑style tracks.
3. Sheldon Creed vs Riley Herbst
Creed’s high‑line momentum vs Herbst’s disciplined, bottom‑lane approach. Iowa rewards both styles depending on rubber buildup.
4. Sammy Smith vs Brandon Jones
Smith’s home‑state confidence vs Jones’ veteran consistency. Smith has been strong at Midwest ovals.
RECENT DRIVER FORM (LAST 5 RACES)
Sam Mayer
Avg Finish: 6.8
Strength: Late‑race aggression
Trend: Surging momentum after two top‑5 finishes
Chandler Smith
Avg Finish: 8.2
Strength: Long‑run consistency
Trend: Quiet but steady; top‑10 threat every week
Cole Custer
Avg Finish: 7.4
Strength: Corner entry stability
Trend: One of the most consistent drivers in the series
Justin Allgaier
Avg Finish: 10.6
Strength: Short‑track mastery
Trend: Up‑and‑down season but Iowa suits his style
Sheldon Creed
Avg Finish: 12.0
Strength: High‑line speed
Trend: Needs a rebound; Iowa could be a breakout
Riley Herbst
Avg Finish: 9.8
Strength: Clean, disciplined racing
Trend: Strong mid‑season form
RACE HISTORY — HY‑VEE PERKS 250 / IOWA SPEEDWAY
Last Xfinity Race at Iowa: 2019 (series returned in 2025)
Most Wins at Iowa (Active Drivers):
Justin Allgaier — 2
Brandon Jones — 1
Key Trend: Iowa rewards drivers who manage tire falloff and run multiple grooves. Historically, the bottom lane dominates early, but the top lane becomes viable after 40–50 laps.
TACTICAL OUTLOOK
What Matters Most
Tire Management: Iowa’s surface chews up Goodyears. Long‑run pace is critical.
Corner Entry Stability: Drivers who can roll into Turn 1 smoothly gain massive time.
Lane Selection: The high lane becomes dominant late in runs.
Restart Execution: Short‑track restarts often decide the race.
Teams to Watch
JR Motorsports: Historically elite at Iowa‑style tracks.
Stewart‑Haas Racing: Strong long‑run setups.
Joe Gibbs Racing: Excellent qualifying speed; race pace varies.
BETTING TRENDS
Favorites have won 3 of the last 5 Iowa races
Pole sitters finish top‑5 60% of the time
Drivers starting outside top‑10 have won 2 of last 6 races
Long‑run specialists outperform short‑run specialists at Iowa
Late cautions are common (avg 2.4 in final 50 laps)
