This Week in Motorsports: June 10 – 16, 2024
· NCS/NXS/ARCA: Iowa Speedway – June 14-16
PLANO, Texas (June 12, 2024) – This weekend marks the highly-anticipated debut of the NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa Speedway, joined by the Xfinity Series making their first start in the Hawkeye State since 2019. The ARCA Menards Series will also be at the 7/8-mile short oval, hosting their seventh race of the season.
NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS
Toyota looks to extend short track domination … The short track prowess of the Toyota Camry XSE has been on display so far in 2024, with Toyota drivers winning three of the first four short oval races this season. Christopher Bell won at Phoenix in March, followed by Denny Hamlin claiming victories at Bristol and Richmond. The 7/8-mile Iowa Speedway offers another chance for Toyota drivers to flex their short track muscles.
Bell returns to favorable Iowa … Though the Cup Series debuts at Iowa Speedway this weekend, Bell is no stranger to the short track, nor having success there. The Oklahoma native captured victory twice in Iowa in the Xfinity Series (2018 and 2019), along with two pole positions (2017 and 2019). Another triumph by Bell would be his third of the 2024 season, and he also enters the weekend with three consecutive top-10 finishes, and four in the last five races.
Moffitt comes home … Grimes, Iowa, native, Brett Moffitt, is back at Iowa Speedway, piloting the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) this weekend in the Xfinity Series race. Moffitt has raced at his home track 11 times previously, winning the two most recent Truck Series races there in 2018 and 2019, along with an ARCA triumph in 2011. This will be Moffitt’s first Xfinity Series start of the 2024 season.
Heim back in a GR Supra … Toyota Development Driver, Corey Heim, returns to the Xfinity Series and Sam Hunt Racing this weekend in the No. 26 GR Supra. This is Heim’s seventh Xfinity Series start of the season and his first since Dover. The Georgia native claimed a fourth-place finish at Richmond back in March. He comes into the weekend with momentum after winning the Truck Series race at Gateway two weekends ago.
NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series
Balcaen in thick of ARCA title fight … Canadian, Amber Balcaen, continues to keep herself in the hunt for the ARCA Menards Series championship. The 32-year-old sits in third place, just 33 points back of the championship lead heading to Iowa this weekend. Balcaen will make her second start at Iowa Speedway, where she finished 10th in her debut in 2022.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
