NASCAR CUP SERIES
IOWA SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES
AUGUST 2, 2025

 Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Iowa Speedway.

Media Availability Quotes:

I’m wondering from your perspective as you were the polesitter here last year, you have to go all the way back to 2019 when the last time a polesitter in particular had won a short-track race. Why is it so hard to, or for you guys in the Next Gen car especially, to get the pole and go on to win the race in general? Does it have to do with the traffic or is there any reason in particular why it’s been difficult?

“Yeah, I mean, that’s a surprising stat, so I’m not sure I have a great answer, other than the field’s just tighter now so there’s more teams that have an opportunity to win if things go right. And then Next Gen races are a little bit more chaotic and stuff. But I would have thought that a polesitter had won in that amount of time.

But since 2019? Damn, because that’s even an old car. So, I don’t know. That’s wild.”

You look at this year with Hendrick Motorsports… you guys are one through three. You’re in the mix for the regular season championship. Is there anything different for this year in terms of the competitiveness of having that opportunity to race against your teammates for a regular season championship? How would you recap this year to this point?

“Yeah, it’s been great to see Hendrick Motorsports is atop the standings right now with just a few races left until the end of the regular season. So, yeah, that’s something to be proud of. But there’s still a lot of racing left and the playoffs can get crazy.

But yeah, I feel like our team was really, really strong to start the year. We kind of had those, you know, five or six weeks where we had fallen off a little bit, but these last two have gone well. We were competitive here at Iowa last year. I’m sure track will probably feel different, I’m assuming, with the age. The pavements obviously changed color quite a bit, so I’d imagine grip would be a little bit different. But yeah, we’ll see. Excited to get out there and practice, and hopefully qualifying goes well and we can be fast again.”

Corey Day last weekend had, I’d say, his breakout race at IRP with finishing second. Quick enough to possibly battle for the lead if there was a couple more laps in that race. Have you gotten to talk to him this week as he’s wrapping up qualifying here in Xfinity and what did you say to him?

“No, I mean, he was just part of the competition meeting on Monday and he just talked through his race some. It was good to see him have a strong run there. It was a track that I thought may, you know, suit his style, being able to move around and search for grip and things. He was probably one of the first, if not the first, running below the apron that night and found some speed that way. So, you know, it just lends itself to a dirt guy’s background probably.

But yeah, he’s been slowly getting better here lately in the stock car stuff and I’m sure gaining confidence. So yeah, I’m hopeful and excited to see how he keeps going in the 17 car.

We’re always cheering him on. It’s tough to learn these days with limited practice and no testing. You’re really reliant on the sim. It’s much tougher for the young guys to learn these days, so it’s been good to see him kind of figuring it out here lately.”

With the placement of Iowa this weekend, a week before nationals, does this weekend really gear you up heading into another Knoxville Nationals where you could potentially win another one?

“I mean, logistically, it’s just nice being here, getting to run 360 Nationals this weekend, I’m staying in Knoxville for about two weeks.

So yeah, the next week the logistics get a little hectic as we get to the weekend, but that’s all normal. It’s always a fun time of year for me. I love the Knoxville Nationals. It’s even better having us here this weekend to allow the mechanics and other drivers to cruise over there and take in some good racing this weekend.”

You were fast here last year. Do you feel like any of the same stuff will work this year, or because of change of tire and track aging a year, that not a whole lot is relevant?

“Yeah, I mean, I’m going into it at least with the mindset of myself that it’s going to be at least not the same. But you know, you just never know until you get out there. So yeah, like I mentioned we were fast last year, but I think it was the first time here with the repave. That presents challenges to everybody, so the field was pretty, I felt like, not as tight as a normal Next Gen race. It allowed for some good racing and passing was easier. I would imagine this year, everybody’s narrowed in on their setups way better, so I imagine it will be really hard to pass. Execution is going to mean even more than it did last year. But yeah, obviously your car’s got to be handling good too.

But we’ll see. I think we’re a little bit different setup this year, and hopefully it’s better.”

Have you looked back last week to see if you could have done anything different on Bubba Wallace? Restart after restart, he was holding you off and we’re not used to seeing that from you…

“It’s Indy… tell me when anybody wants to restart from the outside (laughs).”

Any thoughts on Stewart Friesen’s big block modified wreck? And if you have an opinion, what does a NASCAR garage think about him and like about him?

“Well yeah, it’s obviously devastating to see the crash and then see the results of the crash with the injuries and whatnot. Yeah, a very serious accident… kind of a crazy one that you don’t really see happen too often in big blocks. Our thoughts and prayers definitely go out to Stewart and hoping for a speedy recovery and something that hopefully wouldn’t alter his abilities in the race car when he does get healed back up.

But yeah, I mean, he’s a gritty racer and one I respect a lot. You know, he runs Truck Series races on Friday and then flies to race his big block the rest of the weekend. That just shows the passion that he has for racing. Like I mentioned, just hopefully he can have a speedy, healthy recovery.”

You were super-fast here last year and you got into that incident with Daniel Suarez, I believe. When you’re that fast on the track, especially one that’s this new to the schedule, and you have that missed opportunity where something goes haywire and you come back to it, does it put a little chip on your shoulder or give you a little extra confidence coming into this weekend about what Sunday could bring?

“No, no, it doesn’t, just because, like I said, I think your team’s just — some teams missed the setup last year. And I’m speaking of mostly like Gibbs, you know, a top-tier organization. So I would imagine there’s going to be six more competitive cars this year. The RFK cars are way better. They struggled here last year. Spire Motorsports has gotten so much better. So no, I don’t think you’re going to have somebody be as standout as what us and maybe the 12 were last year in this race. But hopefully we’ve hit on it again and we’re really, really fast. But I would imagine the field would be way tighter.”

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Toyota GAZOO Racing – John Hunter Nemechek
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

NEWTON, Iowa (Aug. 2, 2025) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB driver John Hunter Nemechek was made available to the media on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Iowa Speedway.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK, No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB

The track surface seems to be much different than last year, what are you expecting this weekend?

“I think everyone is going to be fighting for the repaved strip, from a grip standpoint. The color of the new asphalt has changed drastically since last year. It’s very light compared to how dark it was last year. It’s going to be very interesting to see the grip level for us as we get out there today. The asphalt with the shoe test seems to have way more grip than the old asphalt did. With a new tire here, it’s going to be a lot of unknowns for us. I know that they had a tire test here and a wheel force test here so there’s data on the tire. So, there’s a lot of unknowns this weekend with falloff and how slick it’s going to get and how tires are going to wear. Definitely a lot of differences from last year.”

With the newness of the surface, what is the process you go through to try and get the car right in practice and qualifying?

“It’s difficult, because it’s a 25-minute practice session with the impound rule, so you kind of got what you got. You can change heights and load on the springs and wedge and things of that sort, but as far as changing springs and shocks, you can’t do that. Hopefully all of our guesswork on the simulator kind of pans out for us. We’ve definitely got our correlation way closer than it has been in the past six to eight months. I feel like we’ve been making strides along with car speed and grip and things of that sort with Erik (Jones) and I. With having to prep, hopefully we can go P1 on the board and we’re really fast. But if not, it’s going to be sitting down and studying the SMT data and figuring out where your speed is lacking on the speed trace. Why can’t I pick the throttle up 50 feet sooner while am I not using more brake, things of that sort from a car handling characteristic to try and pinpoint a problem and fix that going into Sunday. Who knows how the tire is going to race, there’s a lot of unknowns every week. Whoever can maximize their race and have the best strategy and have track position all day is going to be become victorious. Last year was a huge track position race, so hopefully with the asphalt wear some and the new tire compound it will be easier for us to move around.”

What are your thoughts on the In-Season Challenge now that it’s over?

“Mad I didn’t win it (laughing). I think overall it was a really great experience to be honest with you. Props to TNT and to NASCAR and everyone that came up with the idea and made it possible. It was really fun to be a part of. It was great from a fan perspective. When you didn’t have a chance to win the race, you want to try and get the best finish that you can. At Dover, Ty Dillion and I didn’t have the best cars all day and we kept trading it off and we knew we were racing them. It gives you something to race for when you are running 25th that day, or 15th that day or whatever that may be. The trash talking on social media and the content capture, that was a lot of fun for me. I think you saw a lot of different personalities come out through that and a lot of engagement you wouldn’t normally see on a weekly basis unless you were racing for something like that. I know we gained some fans, Ty Dillon gained some fans, for making it all the way through to the final round. Thank you to everyone for making it happen and it’s definitely a step in the right direction for our sport.”

Do you think the In-Season Challenge should come back for 2026?

“For sure. I think it should be a thing kind of like what March Madness is. The bracket challenge is really neat and it’s cool that fans get to fill out a bracket. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of and I hope they bring it back.

Do you think they should mix up the tracks that are in it next year?

“I think so. It would be neat to have different racetracks every year, kind of like the championship race. One of my thoughts on that is to change venues every year, to keep going back to places and ultimately having a good time.”

You are making your 100th Cup Series start tomorrow. What are your thoughts on reaching this milestone?

“It’s really neat. I don’t know how many starts I have in the NextGen car now, I’m going to say it’s close to 60 or something like that. For me, approaching 100 starts in the Cup Series, as a kid growing up and watching my Dad race in the Cup Series and growing up at the racetrack. Now to not only compete in the Cup Series, but compete at a super high level and competing for Top-10’s and Top-five’s trying to go for race win and hopefully eventually championships is something I’ve always dreamed of. To be at that 100 start milestone has been really neat for me. It’s been a good week and what better place to do it than Iowa. It will be good to get on track here, this place has been really good for me in the Truck Series and the Xfinity Series and hopefully the Cup Series this year.”

What do you think they should do with the track surface in the future at Iowa? Should it be repaved or be repaved all the way up to the corner?

“I don’t have too many thoughts on that. I liked the old surface, I’ve run in Trucks and Xfinity cars here. It was really fun for me. I don’t know you’ll see it get past lane two this weekend, just with the new asphalt and the grip it has as opposed to the old asphalt, which is yet to be determined. When it was the old asphalt without the corner repaved you could move all the way up to the fence. We would come here in the Truck Series and I’ve won it on a restart by making it three-wide on the top in turn 1 and 2. Places where you can move around and adjust your car handling where the driver can make a big difference are places that I like. I think as the asphalt ages it will be pretty interesting to see how we can move around and race and pass and things of that sort. It’s going to be doing whatever we can to speed up the aging and that process.”

You need a win to make the playoffs. How close are you to winning?

“I had the fastest car last weekend and I drove it into the fence in qualifying and had to start in the back. I think we are getting closer. The last eight or nine months at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, from the personnel changes and the process changes, the procedural changes, the whole culture in the shop has completely changed. Jimmie (Johnson) becoming the majority owner and being involved in the day-to-day aspect, he’s here full-time now as of a couple of weeks ago, so he’s been in the shop every day. It’s been really neat to have him here and in our corner and here in person. He did a great job when he was overseas and living in London, but to have him here in person and to create a closer relationship with him and a closer bond. Not only for my myself, but everyone that works at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB can help things. I know we are getting closer. We have four weeks left to win before the playoffs start. Overall, even if we don’t make the playoffs this year, I would say this year has been a success for us. From last year running 30th or 35th every week to consistently running in the Top-20 each week. Having speed and showing up with speed and being able to execute races. Finishing in the Top-10 a lot this year has been good for us. It’s brick by brick we are building from the ground up and I think we are getting way closer to that win. We have some good racetracks coming up for me, I like Iowa and Watkins Glen, we all have to figure out how to beat SVG (Shane Van Gisbergen) there. Then we have Richmond and Daytona. The summer race at Daytona last year we led a bunch of laps and had a shot to win it before I went Tokyo drift style through the infield, but looking forward to going back there. Richmond is another one I’ve also circled myself. There are definitely some racetracks coming up before the playoffs that I’m really excited for.”

Do you think Jimmie’s presence makes people either work harder or be more detailed?

“I don’t necessarily think it makes them more detailed. I just think if anything, the way he has shared his vision for the company and the way that he has helped change the culture in the shop has made the biggest impact. Him being around on a day-to-day aspect is more culture driven than necessarily everyone working harder. I wouldn’t say people are stepping up their game and working harder just because he’s there. But I think the way he has shaped his vision and his dream of LEGACY 2.0 as a team owner and the culture change I think that’s made the biggest impact for us as a team. The personnel we continue to hire, the changes we’re making internally and all the department heads, everyone has bought in internally at this point. Everyone is bought in on what Jimmie wants to do and how we are going to achieve that. I think it’s shown here over the last little bit.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s 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 31 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 1, 2025) – In the ever-competitive world of NASCAR Cup Series racing, speed and efficiency play symbiotic roles not just on the track, but also in the air as teams look to navigate the 38-race schedule in the most productive manner possible.

When Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson and his team of drivers, crew chiefs and executive leadership need to get to the track and home with speed and precession, they look to Fly Alliance as the organization’s go to air-travel provider on a weekly basis.

To further fortify the relationship, Spire Motorsports will partner with Fly Alliance, the premier choice in private aviation, for a pair of NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025, beginning with the August 23 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

“We founded Fly Alliance to deliver best-in-class private aviation solutions for elite travelers, and there’s no industry that demands precision, speed, and flexibility quite like motorsports,” said Christopher Tasca, President and Co-Founder, Fly Alliance. “As both a business leader and a driver in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, I understand firsthand the intense logistical demands of racing—from tight schedules to rapid team movement and equipment transport. Our partnership with Spire Motorsports reflects Fly Alliance’s deep commitment to performance, reliability, and service. We’re proud to support their journey both in the air and on the track.”

Michael McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 champion, will pilot the No. 71 Fly Alliance Chevrolet ZL1 at the “World Center of Racing” in the final event of the regular season before NASCAR sets the 16-team playoff field that will compete for 2025 championship honors. McDowell’s Spire Motorsports’ stablemate Justin Haley will showcase the Fly Alliance livery later in the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the second of two 2025 races at the 1.5-mile paved oval.

Fly Alliance provides unparalleled access to one of the largest and most diverse private jet fleets, offering tailored aviation solutions designed to exceed the expectations of the world’s most discerning travelers. The company’s commitment to safety, luxury, and reliability ensures a seamless travel experience, backed by industry-leading expertise and financial stability. With a dedication to excellence, Fly Alliance delivers unmatched global access and white-glove service, making private jet travel effortless and exceptional.

“When you work in a business that demands flexibility and many times requires on-demand air travel, it’s imperative to partner with an organization that understands those demands and can react in real time,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “Chris Tasca and his team at Fly Alliance are the best in the private aviation business and their fleet is second to none. We don’t just depend on Fly Alliance to get us from place to place, we also utilize their aircraft to serve as a comfortable and private space where I can communicate with our drivers, crew chiefs and team leaders before and after a race weekend. No detail is ever left to chance, and safety is always the first priority. The service has been exceptional since our first flight.”

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 from Daytona International Speedway will be televised live on NBC and streamed on Max Saturday, Aug. 23 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 26th of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

About Fly Alliance …
Fly Alliance is a global private aviation company offering a comprehensive suite of services including on-demand charter, jet card programs, fractional aircraft ownership, parts sales, maintenance, and full-service aircraft management. Headquartered at Orlando Executive Airport, Fly Alliance operates a fleet of over 30 aircraft with a growing international footprint that includes operations across North America, Western Europe, and the Middle East. Known for its deep expertise and concierge-level service, Fly Alliance serves a diverse clientele of high-net-worth individuals, corporate executives, and professional sports teams.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

Josh Berry showed speed in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway last season, starting third, leading 32 laps, and finishing seventh while driving a Ford Mustang for his previous team. It was a standout performance at the .875-mile short track – one he’s looking to build on this weekend.

Berry returns to Iowa for Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350, this time behind the wheel of the No. 21 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing. The race will mark the debut of a new green-and-black Masterforce Tools paint scheme.

Berry’s effort is backed by the team’s alliance with Team Penske, which also found success at Iowa in 2024 when Ryan Blaney led the most laps and took the win in his Blue Oval.

With a strong record at Iowa, Berry enters the weekend with confidence.

“I’m excited to get back to Iowa,” Berry said. “We really had a good race there last year, led laps, and we found ourselves in contention.

“So hopefully we can go back and do the same thing. I think it should be a good opportunity for us, and we’ve proven when we get to execute and get the car like we need to, we can get to the front.”

Cup Series action kicks off Saturday with practice at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 2:40 p.m. ET. Both sessions will air on truTV.

Sunday’s 350-lap, 306.25-mile event is scheduled to go green just after 3:30 p.m. ET, with race coverage on USA. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 70 and 210.

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 341 stores in 15 states. Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building. You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more. To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture. Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries. And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too! For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 101 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series with Josh Berry.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa Speedway… The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Iowa Speedway this weekend for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol, marking the Cup Series’ second appearance to the 0.875-mile, D-shaped oval designed by Rusty Wallace. In the inaugural Cup Series race at Iowa in 2024, Austin Dillon earned a 19th-place finish while Kyle Busch retired from the race early with mechanical issues. Both drivers are former Iowa Speedway winners and looking for redemption in the Hawkeye state this weekend.

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway… In 58 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Iowa Speedway, RCR boasts one win among 15 top-five finishes, 29 top-10 finishes and four poles. Elliott Sadler led 60 laps enroute to Victory Lane for the Welcome, N.C.-based organization after starting from the pole in 2012. RCR’s Xfinity Series contingent heads to Iowa Speedway motivated to perform after both teams crashed out of the race early in 2024.

A Winning Tradition… While RCR is still vying for the organization’s first Cup Series win at Iowa Speedway, the 56-year-old race team has been victorious at the track in every other racing series it has entered there. In addition to Sadler winning under the RCR banner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2012, Austin Dillon earned a NASCAR Truck Series win at Iowa for RCR in 2011, and Ty Dillon earned an ARCA Menards Series win, also in 2011.

The Cowboy Way… The Carolina Cowboys, a professional bull riding team in the PBR Team Series, an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games throughout the country, are third in the PBR Team Series standings following the league’s first neutral site event of the season in Duluth, Georgia this past weekend. The team, co-owned by Richard Childress and Jeff Broin, is managed by Austin Dillon. The Carolina Cowboys return home on September 12-14 for their fourth annual Cowboy Days homestand at First Horizon Coliseum. Tickets for the event are on sale now, and start at $20, taxes and fees not included. They can be purchased online at TicketMaster.com and PBR.com, at the First Horizon Coliseum Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at (800) 732-1727.

For more information on Carolina Cowboys, and for updates on the upcoming PBR Cowboy Days, visit https://pbr.com/teams/carolina-cowboys, Carolina Cowboys on Facebook, @carolinacowboyspbr on Instagram, or @CARCowboysPBR on Twitter.

Catch the Action on Saturday… The NASCAR Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway will be televised live Saturday, August 2, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW. The race will be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions will be shown for free on The CW App.

Watch Us on USA Network… The Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, August 3, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. The race will be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. The NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday will be broadcast on truTV and Max. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway… Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol will mark Austin Dillon’s second career NASCAR Cup Series start at Iowa Speedway. In 2024, Dillon earned a 19th-place finish. The former NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series champion has plenty of experience outside of the Cup Series at Iowa, having competed there in the Xfinity, Trucks, and the ARCA Menards Series.

Did You Know? Dillon has six Xfinity Series starts to his credit at Iowa Speedway, earning three top-five finishes, four top-10 finishes, and leading 376 laps. In three Truck Series starts at Iowa, Dillon boasts one win among two top-five finishes. He also earned a top-five finish in his lone ARCA Racing Series start at the track in 2009.

A Memorable First… Dillon earned his career-first NASCAR national series win at Iowa Speedway in 2010 during his rookie year of competition in the NASCAR Truck Series. The Welcome, N.C. driver led and bested Johnny Sauter during a green-white-checkered finish to claim his career-first Truck Series win in just his 12th Series start. At only 20 years old, 2 months, 37 days, Dillon became the Truck Series’ second-youngest winning driver, just shy of Kyle Busch, who was the youngest, winning his first truck race at 20 years, 18 days.

Fast Chevys… Dillon has earned pole awards in both the Xfinity Series (2013) and the Truck Series (2011) at Iowa Speedway.

Double Duty… Dillon returns to the Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway for the first time since 2013. The 2013 Xfinity Series champion is scheduled to drive the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet this weekend in place of Austin Hill. Dillon owns a total of 155 Xfinity Series starts to his credit, most recently racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

Delivering Performance on the Track and For the Planet… Dillon will race the Get Bioethanol Chevrolet this weekend at Iowa Speedway showcasing the benefits of racing with earth-kind and engine-smart bioethanol blended fuel, Sunoco Green E15. Whether it’s delivering cleaner and cooler high-octane on the track or on your drive to the grocery store, plant-based bioethanol makes a positive impact on our planet and for future generations. NASCAR drivers have now officially raced 25 million NASCAR miles on Sunoco E15, a notable milestone since NASCAR introduced the fuel in 2011. Learn more about what fueling up with bioethanol means for you here.

Meet Dillon… Dillon is scheduled to make an appearance at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Iowa Speedway Fan Midway on Sunday at 10:40 a.m. Local Time. Stop by to meet the driver of the Get Bioethanol Chevrolet and purchase gear for race day. He is also scheduled for a question-and-answer session at the NASCAR Experience Stage at 11:45 a.m. Local Time.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

With this being only the second NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, what are you expecting out of the weekend?

“Iowa Speedway is one of those places where, when I show up, I feel really comfortable with the track. It’s a place where I’ve logged a lot of laps over the course of my career, and I’ve always enjoyed going there. Our great partners at Get Bioethanol always support us and a bunch of corn growers come out to support as well. Iowa is a short track, but it feels like a mile-and-a-half in some ways because of the speeds you can carry. Last year, it was tough to navigate the new patch, and I think the track will be a little bit slicker this year, so we’ll have to figure out what the new tires will do. When we get there, we’ll be working hard to make the car as fast as possible.”

Your teammate, Kyle Busch, participated in the Goodyear Tire Test back in June. Were you able to talk to him or any other drivers to hear their thoughts on the new tire and how it may impact this weekend’s race?

“Yes, in talking with Kyle (Busch), it was treacherous during the test because they were trying to lay down new rubber, and it was slick. The marbles were rough outside of the main groove, so you hope that when you get 40 cars out there in practice, it lays down some rubber and widens the track back out. That way, you can run all over that patch, from top to bottom. I’m hopeful that will happen, but it’ll take some time to break in and get fast. Eventually, you’ll be able to move around, but it’ll probably be one-lane dominant until more cars get on the track.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway… Kyle Busch will make his second NASCAR Cup Series start at Iowa Speedway this weekend, following the track’s premiere series debut in 2024. In his first start at the 7/8-mile oval, he secured a top-10 starting position, rolling off seventh on the grid. Busch is seeking redemption after an early exit in last year’s race.

Short Track Mastery… The driver of the No. 8 Cheddar’s Chevrolet has consistently delivered on NASCAR’s tightest circuits. Over the course of his career on tracks less than a mile, Busch has tallied 16 wins, 50 top-five finishes, 68 top-10 finishes, and has dominated the field by leading 5,557 laps.

Heartland Hustle… Busch has made two NASCAR Xfinity Series appearances at Iowa Speedway, scoring a victory and a runner-up finish. He controlled the competition across both races, leading a combined total of 239 laps.

Play Ball… Directly after qualifying on Saturday, Busch is scheduled to fly to Bristol, Tenn. in support of the MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com. The game, contested in the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway, will feature the Cincinnati Reds taking on the Atlanta Braves. The MLB Speedway Classic is the first American or National League game ever played in Tennessee and is set to break the all-time regular season single-game attendance record, with more than 85,000 tickets sold.

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Meet Busch… Busch is scheduled to make an appearance at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Iowa Speedway Fan Midway on Sunday, August 3 at 11:40 a.m. Local Time. Stop by to meet the driver of the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet and purchase gear for race day. Busch is also scheduled to make an appearance at the Team Chevy Display for a question-and-answer session on Sunday, August 3 at 12:15 p.m. Local Time.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTE:

Are you looking forward to heading to Iowa Speedway this weekend? What do you expect?

“We went to Iowa Speedway for the tire test earlier this year, and we found out just how treacherous it is when there were only four of us there. You get out of the groove and your car just wants to take off to the wall. So, it was very, very sketchy. I’m not even sure which tire Goodyear ended up deciding to bring back to Iowa, but a lot of work has been done both internally at RCR and with Chevrolet to try to make sure that we’re the best prepared of anybody.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway… Jesse Love has made one career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet last season. The Menlo Park, California native showed speed before a blown tire prematurely ended the event just past halfway. In addition, Love has competed in four ARCA Menards Series races at the 7/8-mile facility, posting one pole, one top-five and two top-10 finishes.

Standings Update… Through 21 regular season events, Love currently holds the fourth position in the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings – 48 points behind third-place Sam Mayer.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, and we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Whelen Everyday Champion… The Whelen Everyday Champion program celebrates community heroes and allows Whelen the opportunity to show their respect and deep gratitude for the acts of those who work tirelessly to make their communities better and safer places to live. Each year, Whelen honors one individual or team who exemplifies bravery, selflessness, and dedication by inducting them into the Whelen Hall of Champions at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. Nominate your Everyday Champion before August 15 at www.whelen.com/evc/.

Meet Love… On Saturday, August 2, fans have two opportunities to meet Love in the Fan Midway at Iowa Speedway. The young gun is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler at 12:40 p.m. Local Time. Immediately following, Love is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy Display at 1 p.m. Local Time.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

Describe racing at Iowa Speedway.

“Our Whelen Chevrolet was fast at Iowa last year, but we blew a right front and hit the fence. There were a lot of question marks about how the repave was going to affect the track before last year’s race, but we learned that the surface has more grip and speed than before. It’s harder to pass now, which makes the racing different than when I went there in ARCA. More than anything, we want to get our No. 2 car back in Victory Lane. Everyone on this team is working hard to make that happen.”

Austin Dillon and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway… Austin Dillon has made six career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Iowa Speedway, earning three top-five and four top-10 results (best finish of second in 2013). In addition, the Welcome, North Carolina native has competed in one NASCAR Cup Series, three NASCAR Truck Series, one ARCA Menards Series, and two NASCAR Pro Series East races at the 7/8-mile oval.

Winning Memories… Dillon’s career-first NASCAR Truck Series victory came at Iowa Speedway in 2010 driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Dillon dominated the event, leading 187 of 200 laps in the race.

Did You Know? Dillon has captured poles in both NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Truck Series competition at Iowa Speedway. The 35-year-old’s pole position in the Xfinity Series came in 2013.

Second NXS Race of 2025… Dillon made his 2025 Xfinity Series debut earlier this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway, piloting the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. After being trapped a lap down with an ill-time caution, the veteran racer finished in the 13th position.

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AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

With stepping into the No. 21 car this weekend, what is the outlook for Saturday’s Xfinity Series race?

“Yeah, getting the chance to represent Bennett Transportation & Logistics and jump into the No. 21 car is an awesome opportunity. I hate it for Austin (Hill) and that team, because they’ve done such a good job of acquiring playoff points this year. After chatting with Austin (Hill), he didn’t mean to do it and it was a racing incident, but this is the outcome that NASCAR came to. I’m just excited to get in the car and hopefully bring something to help that group fight for a championship later this year. I told the team to do whatever they wanted with the car set up wise to try and help them learn for the end of the season. I’ve had some success in the Xfinity Series at Iowa, led a ton of laps there, and would consider it one of my better tracks. I want to go out there and perform well this weekend.”