IndyCar Series drivers test at Iowa Speedway

With just 15 days left until Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend, NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams spent Thursday testing some new elements that will be featured during the series’ doubleheader race weekend at Iowa Speedway.

With cars on track running from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m. Thursday, the long test session provided plenty of opportunity for teams and drivers to get familiar with the new partially-repaved track surface at Iowa Speedway while also utilizing the new hybrid power unit that will make its official debut at the next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the calendar.

Following an extensive testing regimen, the INDYCAR hybrid era will begin on July 7 at the series’ annual event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The first oval races with the new hybrid powertrain will then be contested the following week during Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway.

A total of 10 NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and 27 cars tested throughout the day at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” on Thursday as the series teams and drivers prepare for their return visit to Iowa Speedway on July 12-14.

Two former NTT INDYCAR SERIES Iowa race winners, five Indianapolis 500 winners and four former series champions were among the drivers testing Thursday at the track that had all four corners undergo a repave in the spring.

The new surface resulted in increased speed at Thursday’s test as several drivers unofficially surpassed the INDYCAR SERIES track record qualifying lap of 186.809 mph recorded by Helio Castroneves in 2014.

“I think it’ll be very different this year, you know, the racetrack is basically brand new and with the repave in the corners, it’s going to drive totally different than what it did,” said Newgarden, the two-time defending Iowa race winner who has captured five out of the last seven series races at Iowa Speedway. “I love this track. I always have and I like the area. Newton kind of comes alive during race weekend more so now, because of the involvement with Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee has been such a great partner for us and they’ve made this a destination event.”

Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will once again deliver an unforgettable entertainment experience for fans at Iowa Speedway. Featuring a turbocharged mix of thrilling racing combined with an amazing concert lineup featuring some of the biggest names in music. Luke Combs and Eric Church will perform on July 13 with Kelsea Ballerini and Post Malone taking the stage on July 14.

“I think (the partial repave) has leveled the playing field. It’s a big day, you know, it’s a good day to have a test,” said Graham Rahal, who along with Newgarden posted one of the fastest times on Thursday. “Obviously for us as a team, Hy-Vee is our biggest partner and we really want to do well for Hy-Vee here. The commitment Hy-Vee made to our sport is unlike anything else. And so, we want to win for them.”

For the third consecutive year, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will feature an NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader with races on both Saturday and Sunday of race weekend. The Hy-Vee Homefront 250 presented by Instacart will take the green flag on July 13 with the first night race at Iowa Speedway in four years set to take the green flag at 7 p.m. followed by the Hy-Vee One Step 250 presented by Gatorade on July 14 at 11 a.m.

Both races will be televised live on NBC and streamed live on Peacock. In addition, the rising stars of INDY NXT by Firestone also will compete on July 13 at 1:05 p.m. and can be seen on Peacock.