NASCAR fans have something to look forward to in 2024, as the racing organization announced that it will add a new track to its top-tier Cup Series schedule. The Iowa Speedway, a 0.875-mile oval located near Newton, Iowa, will host its first-ever Cup Series race on June 16, 2024. This will be the first time in NASCAR’s 76-year history that the Cup Series will race in the state of Iowa.
Iowa Speedway: A Short Track with a Long History
The Iowa Speedway was designed by former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace and opened in 2006. It initially hosted an IndyCar race in 2007 before becoming a venue for NASCAR’s lower-tier series, such as the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series, from 2009 to 2019. The track also hosted the ARCA Menards Series, a developmental series for NASCAR, until 2020.
The track has a seating capacity of around 25,000, with the possibility of adding temporary seats to accommodate more fans. The track features variable banking, ranging from 12 to 14 degrees in the corners, and 10 degrees on the frontstretch and backstretch. The track is known for producing exciting racing action, with multiple grooves and close finishes.
Why Iowa Speedway?
NASCAR acquired the Iowa Speedway in 2013, but did not include it in the Cup Series schedule until now. According to Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development and strategy, the decision to move to Iowa was influenced by several factors:
- The demand from fans who wanted to see more short tracks on the schedule
- The positive feedback from drivers who enjoyed racing at Iowa
- The anticipation of how the Next Gen car, which will debut in 2022, will perform at Iowa
- The opportunity to expand NASCAR’s presence in the Midwest region
Kennedy said: “We talk a lot about the racing product and what that looks like, and we hear from a lot of our fans who would like to see more short tracks. And then we also hear how good intermediate racing is with this Next Gen car. And I think Iowa in a lot of ways shows both the short track as well as an intermediate race track in the way that it races. I’m so excited to see it on the schedule.”
What Else is New on the 2024 Schedule?
The addition of Iowa Speedway is not the only change on the 2024 Cup Series schedule. NASCAR also announced that:
- The spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway will return to its concrete surface, after two years of racing on dirt.
- The race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will go back to its traditional oval layout, after three years of racing on the road course.
- The All-Star Race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the second consecutive year.
NASCAR is expected to reveal its complete Cup Series schedule soon. Stay tuned for more updates and news on NASCAR.com.
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