Iowa Speedway to host NASCAR Cup Series race

The wait is over. Rusty Wallace and the city of Newton finally get a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway.

NASCAR made things official during a press conference in Des Moines that Iowa Speedway will host a Cup Series race this summer.

The Cup race, set for 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, will be part of a tripleheader weekend June 14-16 that also includes a NASCAR Xfinity Series race and an ARCA Menards Series race.

“What a big day for Iowa,” NASCAR Hall of Famer and Iowa Speedway track designer Rusty Wallace said. “I have been waiting for this for a long time. This is a dream come true as a track designer to get a Cup race at Iowa. There’s no doubt this will be a great race. We’ve seen great side-by-side racing here and we are excited to see it again.

“This is a fantastic day for everybody. We should all be excited.”

The ARCA Menards Series will kick off the weekend on Friday, June 14, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will complete on the 7/8-mile oval on Saturday, June 15.

Iowa Corn also is back as a title sponsor of the big race weekend at Iowa Speedway.

“I was a big advocate of getting a Cup Series race at Iowa,” NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said. “This is big news. I have been pestering my friends at NASCAR to get this done for a long time. I’m glad to play a small role in this announcement. I think this will be a can’t miss event.”

Iowa Speedway opened its doors in 2006 and hosted Xfinity Series and Truck Series races from 2009 through 2019.

Nineteen Cup Series competitors projected to race in 2024 have won at the Newton track, including champions Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano.

The ARCA Menards Series began competing in Newton in 2006 and has raced there every year since, with the exception of the 2014 season.

Iowa also has hosted 19 IndyCar Series events dating back to 2007.

“We’re really excited to be heading to Iowa Speedway,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development and strategy. “The first time in what will be the 76-year history that we’ve had a (Cup) race at Iowa Speedway, and the first time in a really long time that we’ve had a (Cup) race in the state of Iowa, so we’re excited to get there.”

With Tuesday’s announcement, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Iowa for the first time since 1953 when Herb Thomas drove to victory at Davenport Speedway.

Ticket information will be announced soon but fans can put down a $25 deposit to receive exclusive pre-sale opportunities.

“I’m confident we not only will meet the expectations of NASCAR, we will exceed them,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. “Iowans deliver as we welcome NASCAR back to the Iowa Speedway.”