The Place: Watkins Glen International

Track Length: 2.45 Mile Asphalt Road Course

The Date: Friday, August 8

The Time: 5 p.m. ET

The Purse: $782,900

TV: FS1, 5 p.m. ET

Radio: NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 176.4 miles (72 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 72)

Where To Watch NASCAR This Weekend:

Friday, August 1

ARCA Race: Atlas 150 (FS1, MRN at 7 p.m. ET)

Saturday, August 2

NXS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (CW App at 11 a.m. ET)

NCS Practice & Busch Light Pole Qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM at 1:30 p.m. ET)

NXS Race: Hy-Vee Perks 250(CW Network, MRN, SiriusXM at 4:30 p.m. ET)

Sunday, August 3

NCS Race: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol(USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM at 3:30 p.m. ET)

NASCAR Cup Series

Iowa Storylines and Insights:

·       This weekend marks the second running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway (2024-2025).

·        There are four races left in the NCS regular season: Iowa, Watkins Glen, Richmond and Daytona.

·       Chase Elliott leads the regular season point standings by four points over William Byron; Chase Elliott won the 2022 Regular Season Championship.

·       The top four in the regular season points standings are separated by 20 points, the closest after 22 races since 2012 (17 points).

·       A Hendrick Motorsports driver led the regular season point standings following each of the last 20 races (Ryan Blaney led the points following the first two race of the year).

·       The top-three drivers in 2025 regular season standings are all Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers (Chase Elliott-first, William Byron-second and Kyle Larson-third), it’s the seventh race this year that the top-three in regular season standings were all Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers (2025 is the most races Hendrick held each of the top-three positions in points).

·       The Playoff bubble is 42 points between Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, the largest bubble of the season.

·       A driver pointed their way into the Playoffs from below the cutline this late into the season once in series history under the current points format (2017-2024) – Clint Bowyer was two points back after race 24 in 2019

·       In every season of the Next Gen car (2022-2025), at least one driver won into the Playoffs from below the cutline in the final four races of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.

·       Last year, three drivers that were above the cutline at this point or later in the regular season ended up missing the Playoffs (Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace).

·       Five of the last seven races on ovals in 2025 were won by drivers getting their first win of the season.

·       In the Playoff era (2014-2025), 40 of 45 races at short tracks were won by drivers above the Playoff cutline, the last driver to win from below the cut was Austin Dillon at Richmond last year.

·       Hendrick Motorsports is the only team with at least one car finishing in the top-10 in all 22 races in 2025.

·       Hendrick Motorsports had at least one car finish inside the top-10 in the last 30 races, the longest streak by a team in the Next Gen car.

·       Kyle Larson (four), Denny Hamlin (four) and Ryan Blaney (three) combined won 11 of the last 14 short-track races.

·       Denny Hamlin finished top-five in the last five races on short-tracks including a win at Martinsville and a second at Bristol in the two short-track races this year.

·       Denny Hamlin’s last finish outside the top-five on a short track was his 24th-place finish at Iowa last year, he started 12th but was running 34th by lap 32 and spent over 100 laps off the lead lap.

·       Kyle Larson finished in the top-10 in the last five short-track races, tied for his longest top-10 streak on short-tracks.

·       The last time the pole winner won a short track race was Denny Hamlin in August 2019 at Bristol.

·       A different manufacturer won the last three short track races.

·       The last six short track winners were all over 30 years old.

·       The leader of the most laps went on to win six of the last nine short track races.

·       The last four short track races ended with a green flag run of at least 75 laps, the longest streak on short tracks since at least 1978.

·       Hendrick Motorsports (five) and Joe Gibbs Racing (three) combined have won the pole for the last eight short track races.

·       Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing lead all teams with six wins each on short-tracks in the Next Gen car (19 Next Gen short track races)

·       William Byron has led a lap in 13 of the first 16 races of the season but hasn’t led in the last six.

·       Chase Elliott is the only driver without a DNF in 2025.

·       2025 is the second straight season that Elliott completed all but one lap raced in the season entering the 23rd race of the year.

·       Chase Elliott’s 726 points scored in 2025 is the fewest ever by the points leader after 22 races under the current points format (since 2011).

·       The eventual winner has not led before lap 124 in 16 of the last 20 short track races.

·       John Hunter Nemechek will make his 100th Cup start this weekend.  Five drivers have won in their 100th start, most recently Erik Jones at Darlington in September 2019.

NCS Clinch Scenarios Following Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Already Clinched

·       The following six drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Chase Elliott, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Shane Van Gisbergen.

Can Clinch Via Previous Wins

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Chase Elliott, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric or Shane Van Gisbergen:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 23 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 40 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

•        Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs or Josh Berry:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 48 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Could only clinch with help

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by AJ Allmendinger:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 41 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 55 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Michael McDowell:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 38 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 54 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by John Hunter Nemechek:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 36 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 52 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Erik Jones (or another winless driver lower in the standings):

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 23 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 40 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

•        Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

•        Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry

·        The following drivers could clinch with a win and help:

•        Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help

•        Chris Buescher: Could only clinch with help

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Iowa Storylines and Insights:

·       This weekend marks the 22nd running of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway (2009-2019, 2024-2025).

·       Austin Hill suspended one race for intentionally wrecking Aric Almirola at Indianapolis; if granted a waiver, he will remain Playoff eligible but will enter the Playoffs with zero Playoff points.

·       Austin Dillon will drive the Richard Childress Racing #21 at Iowa in place of Austin Hill.

·       Iowa Speedway will be the third of five short track races this season.

·       Neither of the two short track winners this season will be racing at Iowa: Austin Hill suspended, Kyle Larson not on the entry list.

·       There are five races left in the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season and five Playoff spots remain open.

·       Cousins Jeb Burton and Harrison Burton are separated by 10 points at the Playoff cut line, Jeb is in while Harrison is out.

·       Harrison Burton has been within 16 points of the Playoff cutoff after every race this season; his high was +16 after Atlanta-1 and his low was -16 after Sonoma.

·       The drivers from 12th-15th in the NXS Playoff standings are separated by 57 points, less than one race.

·       Sheldon Creed gained 67 points to the cut in the last four races and is now 67 points ahead.

·       Taylor Gray gained 51 points to the cut in the last three races and is now 59 points ahead.

·       Ryan Sieg gained 30 points to the cut in the last two races after losing 68 points in the previous three and is now 20 points out of a Playoff spot.

·       Connor Zilisch won the last three races, the first driver to win three straight since Noah Gragson won four straight in 2022.

·       Connor Zilisch can become third driver in series history to win four consecutive races – Sam Ard in 1983 and Noah Gragson in 2022.

·       Connor Zilisch became the youngest driver to win three straight races in NXS history – 19y, 00m, 04d (previous was Austin Cindric).

·       Connor Zilisch became the youngest driver to win six NXS races – 19y, 00m, 04d (previous was Joey Logano).

·       Connor Zilisch’s nine straight top fives since returning from back injury is the longest top-five finish streak of the season; Zilisch is the youngest driver with more than five straight top-five finishes.

·       Rookie Connor Zilisch leads the Xfinity Series with five wins this season and a 10.2 average finish.

·       JR Motorsports reached win #100 at Indianapolis, only three other teams won at least 100 NXS races (Joe Gibbs Racing-217, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing-138, Richard Childress Racing-100).

·       JR Motorsports had at least one car finish inside the top-five in a record 23 straight races.

·       JR Motorsports had at least one car finish Top 2 in 10 straight races; a Top 2 finish at Iowa would tie the all-time record.

·       JR Motorsports won 12 races this season with a series-record six different drivers, all six drivers won in the last 12 races.

·       JR Motorsports won seven of the last eight races this season.

·       Ross Chastain will drive JR Motorsports’ #9 car this weekend at Iowa Speedway. Ross Chastain and Carson Kvapil could become JR Motorsports’ seventh different winner this season.

·       JR Motorsports is the third team all-time to win 12 or more times in the first 21 races of a season.

·       JR Motorsports’ #88 won six races with three different driver/crew chief combos this season.

·       Chevrolet won the last 13 races this season, the longest winning streak by a manufacturer all-time.

·       Chevrolet led 2,504 of 3,327 laps this season.

·       Chevrolet won 19 of 21 races, the most all time by a manufacturer through 21 races in series history.

·       The most wins by a manufacturer in NXS history is 24 by Chevrolet in 1999 and 2022.

·        Toyota is winless in the last 13 races, their longest winless streak since the first NXS win in 2007.

·       The last 12 Iowa races were won by 11 different drivers; Christopher Bell is the only repeat winner, winning in 07/2018 and 06/2019.

·       There are only two previous Iowa Xfinity Series winners on the entry list: Justin Allgaier – 2018 & Sam Mayer – 2024.

·       Four other drivers won in Trucks or ARCA at Iowa: Austin Dillon – Trucks 2010, Sheldon Creed – ARCA 2018, Brandon Jones – ARCA 2022, and Connor Zilisch – ARCA 2024.

·       Jeremy Clements started 20 of 21 Xfinity Series races at Iowa all-time.

·       Joe Gibbs Racing leads all teams at Iowa with eight poles, seven wins, 24 top fives, 2,114 laps led and nine stage wins.

·       Joe Gibbs Racing and JR Motorsports have won eight of the last nine Iowa races.

·       The last four Iowa winners were under the age of 25.

·       Eighteen of 21 Iowa races were won by drivers starting inside the Top 8.

·       Eleven drivers on the entry list are making first Xfinity Series start at Iowa; five drivers have never raced at Iowa.

·       Justin Allgaier leads active drivers with six short track wins.

·       Justin Allgaier’s 28 career wins are ninth on the all-time wins list and one away from tying Matt Kenseth.

·       Justin Allgaier leads all drivers with 11 top-five finishes and 685 laps led in 2025; both are his most in a season through 21 races.

·       Justin Allgaier won the Fastest Lap Award five times this season, no other driver has more than two.

·       Five crew chiefs got their first NXS win in 2025: Chad Haney at Atlanta, Sam McAulay at Darlington, Adam Wall at Bristol, Cory Shea at Mexico City & Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Pocono.

·       Five of the last 11 Iowa races went to overtime.

·       Seven of the 21 races this season went to overtime. There hasn’t been an overtime finish in the last eight races, the longest streak without an OT since Aug- Oct 2020.

·       Five races this year ended with a last lap pass. Seven of the last 11 races this season had a pass for the win in the final six laps.

Rule regarding suspension and loss of Playoff points

·       If competition officials grant a waiver for Playoff eligibility, in some circumstances that driver will forfeit any Playoff points accumulated in the regular season. Such a driver would start the Playoffs with a baseline maximum of 2,000 points in the re-set standings.

·       Playoff points would be forfeited if a waiver is granted after a suspension or if a driver chooses to skip a race. Playoff points would not be forfeited in the event of a medical absence, missing a race for the birth of a child or a family emergency, or if age restrictions prevent a driver from racing a full season.

NXS Clinch Scenarios Following Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Already Clinched

·       The following three drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, Austin Hill.

Can Clinch Via Previous Wins

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Nicholas Sanchez:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch regardless of finish

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Daniel Dye:

•        Jesse Love: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Brennan Poole:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch with 29 points

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Josh Williams:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch with 8 points

•        Brandon Jones: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Jeremy Clements:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch with 1 point

•        Brandon Jones: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by William Sawalich:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch with 39 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Matt DiBenedetto:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch with 28 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Anthony Alfredo:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch with 20 points

•        Sammy Smith: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Parker Retzlaff:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 34 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Kyle Sieg:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 25 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch with 53 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Blaine Perkins:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 24 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch with 52 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Ryan Ellis:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 5 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch with 33 points

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

•        Jesse Love, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Nicholas Sanchez

·        The following drivers could clinch with a win:

•        Sam Mayer: Could only clinch with help

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Looking Ahead – Watkins Glen Storylines and Insights:

·       Next weekend will mark the seventh running of a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International (1996-1999, 2000, 2021). The second of three road courses on the schedule this season.

·       The event will be the 17th race of the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule, two races to go until the Playoffs (Richmond and Watkins Glen).

·       Corey Heim clinched the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Championship with his third-place finish at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Heim has won the NCTS Regular Season Championship twice in his career (2023, 2025).

·       Seven of 10 Playoff positions are now held by race winners with three to go in the regular season, every driver with a win is locked into the Playoffs. ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski currently holds the 10th and final Playoff transfer spot on points, up +61 points on his teammate Jake Garcia in 11th. 

·       Corey Heim has won six Xfinity Fastest Lap Awards this season; no other driver has more than two.

·       Austin Hill is the most recent Truck Series winner at WGI (2021).

·       Four of the six previous NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Watkins Glen International have been from the pole or first starting position (66.7%); the most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position was Austin Hill (8/7/2021).

NCTS Clinch Scenarios Following Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park:

Already Clinched

·       The following seven drivers have clinched a spot in the 10-driver postseason field: Corey Heim, Chandler Smith, Layne Riggs, Daniel Hemric, Tyler Ankrum, Stewart Friesen, Rajah Caruth.

Can Clinch Via Points

·       If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the third winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from Grant Enfinger or Kaden Honeycutt.

•        Grant Enfinger: Could only clinch with help

•        Kaden Honeycutt: Could only clinch with help

·       If there is a new winner from Ty Majeski or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the second winless driver in the standings.

•        Grant Enfinger: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

•        Grant Enfinger, Kaden Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, Jake Garcia, Ben Rhodes, Giovanni Ruggiero, Tanner Gray, Connor Mosack, Matt Crafton, Andres Perez De Lara, Jack Wood, Matt Mills, Dawson Sutton, Spencer Boyd, Toni Breidinger, Frankie Muniz.

NASCAR & Iowa, Etc.

Historical and Significant Events at Iowa Speedway:

• Iowa Speedway is a state-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located in Newton, Iowa, 30 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa Speedway also features a 1.3 mile road course.
• Conrad Clement and his family (former president of Featherlite Trailer company) recently bought US Motorsports Corp. which was the primary ownership group of the speedway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace designed and was a minority owner of the track.
• Iowa Speedway is modeled after Richmond Raceway and designed for year-round use and includes 25,000 permanent grandstand seats with a multi-tiered RV viewing area along the backstretch. 
• Iowa Speedway was designed as the first track in the world to protect fans and drivers through the use of SAFER barrier technology surrounding the entire perimeter of the track. 
• NASCAR announced in November 2013 that they purchased the speedway, one month later they named Jimmy Small track president. 
• David Hyatt, former president of MRN was named track president at the beginning of 2018. 
• Eric Peterson, NASCAR and Kansas Speedway executive, was appointed Iowa track president at the start of 2024.

Iowa Speedway Important Dates:

• Broke Ground: June 2005
• Opened: September 2006         
• First Race: September 2006 – USAR Hooters Pro Cup won by Woody Howard
• First ARCA Race: October 2006 – won by Steve Wallace
• First NASCAR Race:  May 2007 – K&N East –West race (now ARCA) won by Joey Logano
• First Indy Car Race:  June 2007 – Won by Dario Franchitti
• First Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Race: July 2007
• First Xfinity Series Race: August 2009 won by Brad Keselowski
• First Truck Race: September 2009 won by Mike Skinner
• NASCAR purchases the speedway in November 2013
• October 2023 NASCAR announces that Iowa Speedway will host a Cup series race in 2024
• All four turns at Iowa were partially repaved in May 2024

Latest Track News at Iowa Speedway:

• Country music sensation Corey Kent will bring high-octane energy to Iowa Speedway on Sunday, August 3, as part of the Busch Light Summer Music Series. The red dirt hitmaker will perform just before the green flag drops for the highly anticipated Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol NASCAR Cup Series race. Known for his dynamic performances and chart-topping hits such as “Wild As Her” and “This Heart,” Kent will deliver an electrifying show on the frontstretch that blends modern country with southern rock grit.
• NASCAR and Iowa Speedway announced that tickets are sold out for the NASCAR Cup Series’ Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol race on Sunday, Aug. 3. It also announced that Iowa Corn will continue as the entitlement partner through a multi-year extension with The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.
• NASCAR is bringing high-octane excitement to the heart of downtown Des Moines with NASCAR’s Iowa Fan Fest on Thursday July 31. This free community celebration will be held from 4-7:30 p.m. at Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309. Fans of all ages are invited to enjoy an evening packed with racing-themed fun, local flavor, and exclusive experiences, including NASCAR driver appearances and free Deardorff Sweet Corn for the first 500 guests, provided by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Hy-Vee.
• Other Fan Fest highlights will include Show Cars by Chevrolet, Iowa Corn Trailer, Live DJ spinning music all evening, KIX 101.1 Horsepower Hour live radio broadcast, Interactive kids activities, Local food vendors.

NASCAR PR