This week, IndyCar returns to an oval track for a double-header at the Iowa Speedway. Last time out in Mid-Ohio, Scott Dixon secured a win — becoming the 3rd race winner of the season. With 2 chances for drivers to taste victory, will we see another new winner this weekend?
Iowa in 2024
After its introduction at the previous race weekend, the hybrid unit continued to face issues. This was especially noticeable during qualifying, when multiple drivers were unable to deploy the energy on their laps. Despite this, Team Penske dominated across the short oval track; winning both races and securing pole position for the second race.
Race 1: The Hy-Vee Homefront 250
The first race in Iowa saw Andretti’s Colton Herta take pole position. Herta led the early stint, but Scott McLaughlin inherited the lead after the pit stops. He went on to win, holding off Pato O’Ward in 2nd. Teammate Josef Newgarden was able to take the final podium position away from Dixon in the closing laps.
It was a race to forget for championship leader Álex Palou. Despite getting a good start, he stalled during his first pit stop. It got worse for the Spaniard, spinning on the start/finish straight, crashing into the wall, and retiring from the race on Lap 134.
The race saw 5 caution periods, with 9 drivers failing to finish. The top ten were as follows:
- Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske).
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren).
- Josef Newgarden (Team Penske).
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing).
- Rinus VeeKay (Ed Carpenter Racing).
- Santino Ferrucci (A. J. Foyt Enterprises).
- Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global).
- Alexander Rossi (Arrow McLaren).
- Marcus Ericsson (Andretti Global).
- Marcus Armstrong (Chip Ganassi Racing).
Race 2: Hy-Vee One Step 250
McLaughlin was on pole for the second race of the weekend. The Team Penske driver led through the opening stint, but a caution came out just after his pit stop, cycling Palou and Will Power to the front. A better second pit saw Power take the lead from Palou, and the pair were joined on the podium by the pole-sitter.
The final lap, and Power’s win, was marred by a pileup. Alexander Rossi ran out of fuel and was hit by Sting Ray Robb — the latter going airborne and barrel-rolling over. Robb endured 109G of impact, lost consciousness and was consequently airlifted to the hospital. He was later confirmed to be okay.
The second race in Iowa was a more subdued event, seeing only one caution period. 7 drivers didn’t finish the race — 4 of them due to the final lap pileup. With his win, Power was able to reduce his points gap to Palou, setting up for a championship battle. The top ten were as follows:
- Will Power (Team Penske).
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing).
- Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske).
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing).
- Colton Herta (Andretti Global).
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren).
- Josef Newgarden (Team Penske).
- Graham Rahal (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing).
- Rinus VeeKay (Ed Carpenter Racing).
- Roman Grosjean (Juncos Hollinger Racing).
2025 at the Iowa Speedway
This year, we see a name change for the races at Iowa. Gone are the days of the Hy-Vee Homefront and One Step 250; now we have the Synk 275 and the Farm To Finish 275. With Hy-Vee ending their partnership with IndyCar and Iowa, Sukup Manufacturing stepped up. In addition to the new title sponsor, an extra 25 laps were added — making each race 275 laps around the speedway.
Ahead of the race weekend, A. J. Foyt driver David Malukas told The Girls Who that compared to other oval tracks, the Iowa Speedway, “has a more similar feeling … you end up having to be more consistent.” He added that the additional laps will “create different strategies,” and be “very different”.
Joining the IndyCar calendar in 2007, the Iowa Speedway has been a staple track for years. Newgarden holds the most driver wins – 5 – with Team Penske holding the most constructor wins – 9. Andretti also has a good track record here, holding 7 wins. In 2008, Ryan Briscoe set the lap record of 0:17.4908.
Known as the “fastest short track on the planet,” the Iowa Speedway is only 0.875 miles long. Featuring three banked corners and a curved front stretch, it is a short tri-oval. As a fast track, with lap times being under 18 seconds, there’s no room for error. For the drivers, it is a physically and mentally demanding track; but for the spectators, it is an exciting and action-filled event.
Schedule
The schedule for this weekend’s Iowa races can be seen below. All times are in CEST:
With a strength on oval tracks and holding the most wins here, can Newgarden break his unlucky streak and be on the podium once again? Watch out as the Chevrolet-powered drivers look to get their first season win and bring the fight to Honda for the manufacturer championship. Álex Palou remains winless around Iowa, and Chip Ganassi only holds one win, so can they look to change that? All remains to be seen, so tune in for double the fun this weekend.