Home Blog Page 385

Front Row Motorsports: Iowa Speedway Competition Notes – Zane Smith

By
Official Release
-

Zane Smith and the No. 38 Mystik Lubricants Ford Team
Iowa Speedway Competition Notes
Iowa Corn 350

Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
Event: Race 25 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Iowa Speedway (0.875-miles)
#of Laps: 350
Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Zane Smith Notes

Zane Smith returns to the Midwest this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Newton, Iowa for a 350-lap race at the 0.875-mile-long Iowa Speedway. Mystik Lubricants will serve as the primary partner on the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend in Iowa. This will be the brands’ second primary race with Smith. For more information about Mystik and CITGARD®, visit www.mystiklubes.com and www.citgolubes.com.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Front Row Motorsports and supporting Zane Smith,” said Braden McElroy, CITGO General Manager, Lubricants. “Having the new Mystik Lubricants-centered design on the No. 38 car this season provides great brand exposure with millions of racing fans. It will be an unbeatable combination, just like how Mystik JT-6® Greases and CITGARD Heavy Duty Engine Oils are for any tough situation your equipment may face in the field.”

“Indianapolis was disappointing, but there is still a lot of confidence around the shop heading into Iowa,” said Smith. “We have the speed to compete, and I think these next couple of races provide great opportunities to knock down some good finishes, we just need to execute and stay out of trouble.”

Road Crew

Driver: Zane Smith

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut

Car Chief: Will Norris

Hometown: Bells, Tennessee

Engineer: Jacob Clamme

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Engineer: Chris Yerges

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mechanic: Steve Godfrey

Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Tyler Podlaski

Hometown: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

Interior Specialist: Matt Fowler

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Co-Driver: Ernest Mullins

Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Transport Co-Driver: Rick Grissom

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Flores

Hometown: Manasquan, New Jersey

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois

Fueler: Chris Webb

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

ABOUT MYSTIK LUBRICANTS

Mystik Lubricants develops products in real-world conditions that are specially formulated to meet the unique demands of specialized machines. Our products provide fearless protection for engine longevity and are the choice of professional riders and enthusiasts, who demand maximum performance in the toughest conditions.

Mystik Lubricants traces its heritage to 1922. Producing millions of gallons of finished lubricants and greases annually, Mystik supplies product to automotive, heavy-duty, commercial, industrial, powersports and agricultural customers through blending and packaging facilities across the country.

Built on a legacy of premium products, superior technical knowledge and personalized service, the Mystik product line is “Made to Make it Last” and continues to expand on a reputation of trust and confidence that can only be earned through proven performance and commitment.

ABOUT CITGARD

CITGO CITGARD Heavy Duty Engine Oils deliver the performance needed for newer engine designs while improving performance in older engines. It is engineered with proprietary additive technology that protects engines running at higher operating temperatures and higher fuel injection pressures, while meeting tighter wear limits and lower emission requirements. CITGO CITGARD 700 Synthetic Blend Engine Oils are a new generation of engine oils that support the Phase II fuel efficiency standards, which are driving the need for even more fuel-efficient heavy-duty engine oils combined with excellent wear protection and engine durability.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Carson Hocevar Named Driver of the No. 11 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing at Iowa Speedway

By
Official Release
-

WELCOME, N.C. (July 30, 2025) – Rising star Carson Hocevar will drive the No. 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series entry for Kaulig Racing this Saturday at Iowa Speedway in the HyVee Perks 250.

Hocevar, a 22-year-old Portage, MI native, drives full time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Spire Motorsports. Hocevar has just six NASCAR Xfinity Series starts in his career, but burst onto the scene as a championship contender in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with five career wins and a Championship Four appearance in 2023.

“I love to race, anywhere, anytime, so when I was asked to drive the Kaulig Xfinity car at Iowa, I jumped at the opportunity,” said the enthusiastic Hocevar. “I’m grateful to the team at Kaulig Racing for believing in me and to Jeff Dickerson and my Spire team for letting me have some fun with the 11 team this weekend. I promise to make the most of it.”

The HyVee Perks 250 will air live this Saturday on the CW Network at 4:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. local time in Iowa.

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Motul SportsCar Grand Prix Weekend featuring IMSA Returns to Road America July 31 through August 3

By
Official Release
-

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., July 30, 2025 – Road America is set to roar to life July 31 through August 3 with the return of the Motul SportsCar Grand Prix Weekend, headlined by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. As one of the most iconic and challenging circuits in North America, Road America offers fans a world-class racing experience set against the picturesque backdrop of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Leading the charge is Acura Meyer Shank Racing’s Tom Blomqvist, who arrives with momentum following recent wins at Watkins Glen and Detroit. Blomqvist, co-driving the No. 60 Acura ARX-06, hopes to extend the team’s hot streak at what he calls his “favorite track.” With only three races remaining, the GTP championship battle is heating up, and every point matters.

The weekend is packed with non-stop on-track action, including four premier support series:

  • IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (Road America 120) – Saturday, Aug. 2
  • Porsche Carrera Cup North America – Races on Saturday and Sunday
  • Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Races on Saturday and Sunday
  • Mustang Challenge – Races on Saturday and Sunday
  • IMSA WeatherTech Championship Autograph Session – Saturday at 12:15 p.m. in the paddock

Fans can also enjoy open grid walks, autograph sessions, vendor villages, and family-friendly attractions throughout the facility. Sunday’s feature race, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, goes green at 1:05 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on Peacock and internationally on IMSA.TV and IMSA’s YouTube channel.

As the event approaches, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets, golf carts, and camping spots well in advance. Last year’s massive turnout is a testament to the event’s growing popularity, and this year is expected to draw even more attendees. Don’t miss out on the high-speed action and the chance to explore Road America’s picturesque grounds as the venue celebrates its 70th Anniversary. Get your tickets now to be part of the excitement only Road America can deliver!

Tickets are available at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. All races run rain or shine.

Homes Service Contractor Training Company, Top Rep, Doubles Down at Darlington

By
Official Release
-
Screenshot

Mooresville, NC (July 30, 2025) Top Rep Training will be the primary sponsor for Spencer Boyd and the No. 76 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team at the historic Darlington Raceway later this year. Top Rep Training, built specifically for home service companies, was featured earlier this year at Nashville Superspeedway.

“I used to sell cars at Hendrick auto Group,” Spencer Boyd said. “I know how important sales training is. What Chuck and his group at Top Rep are doing is needed for contractors. We’ve got so many small business owners in the construction space watching our races that it is a great fit for Top Rep.”

Top Rep provides training and is built specifically for companies in roofing, painting, kitchen and bath remodeling, solar, window installation, and much more.

“I met Spencer when he spoke at a conference a couple years back,” remarked Top Rep Owner Chuck Thokey. “His energy and relatability really struck me as someone I’d like to work with one day. That day has come and I’m beyond proud to have a Top Rep truck in NASCAR! I feel it is the right space to market in and I know I’ve got the right driver, so I invite all those NASCAR fans that own home services businesses to attend Top Rep Boot camp. Simply put, it will improve their business.”

Boyd added with a bit of a smirk on his face, “It seems weird to say this but I’m low-key happy that this isn’t the throwback race. This paint scheme is too good not to showcase at the Lady in Black. I’m proud to represent Top Rep and look forward to meeting some of their customers in Atlanta next month.”

Spencer will be bringing the actual vinyl for the race truck hood for people to sign at the Top Rep Bootcamp in Atlanta on August 18. For more information on that event go to Top Rep Atlanta.

About Top Rep
Are you prepared to elevate your home service business and lead your sales team to unprecedented success? At Top Rep Training, we are dedicated to equipping business owners and sales leaders with the tools to thrive in the home improvement industry. Our comprehensive courses, dynamic bootcamps, and tailored coaching sessions are crafted to enhance your leadership abilities, fortify your sales strategies, and empower your team to secure deals with exceptional skill and confidence that epitomizes a Top Rep Sales Champion.

NASCAR at Iowa Weekend Schedule and Highlights

By
Angie Campbell
-
NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa Speedway by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series travel to Iowa Speedway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is off and returns to competition August 8 at Watkins Glen International.

All times are Eastern.

Cup Series Highlights

The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway was held in 2024. Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney won the first race at Iowa after starting second. He led 201 laps during the race.   

The final lead change for the race win occurred with 88 laps to go when Ryan Blaney passed Josh Berry for the lead on Lap 263.

There were eight cautions for a total of 49 caution laps, nine different race leaders and 17 lead changes in the 2024 race..  

Kyle Larson holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 136.458 mph in the No. 5  Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Larson (four), Denny Hamlin (four) and Ryan Blaney (three) have combined to win 11 of the last 14 short-track races.

Xfinity Series Highlights

There are five races left in the Xfinity Series regular season and five open Playoff spots.

The No.9 JR Motorsports car will be driven by Ross Chastain this weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Eleven different drivers won the last 12 Xfinity races at Iowa. Christopher Bell is the exception, winning in 07/2018 and 06/2019.

Joe Gibbs Racing and JR Motorsports have combined to win eight of the last nine Iowa races.

Friday, August 1

3:30 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Practice – Timed/45 minutes
4.30 pm.: ARCA Menards Series Qualifying
Impound/Timed /All Entries
7 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Atlas 150
150 Laps, 131.25 Miles – FS1/MRN

Saturday, August 2

11 a.m.: Xfinity Series Practice
Timed/All Entries/50 minutes
CW App

12:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying
(Impound) All Entries/Single Vehicle/2 Laps
CW App

1:30 p.m.:Cup Series Practice
Timed – Group 1: 25 Minutes (10 Minute Break) Group 2: 25 Minutes
truTV/MRN/SiriusXM

2:40 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying
(Impound) All Entries/Single Vehicle/2 Laps
truTV/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Cup Series Qualifying: NASCAR Press Pass

4:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Iowa HyVee Perks 250
Stages 60/120/250 Laps = 218.75 Miles
Purse: $1,651,939
CW/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Xfinity Series Race: NASCAR Press Pass

Sunday, August 3

3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
Stages 70/210/350 Laps = 306.25 Miles
Purse: $9,797,935
USA/HBO Max/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Cup Series Race: NASCAR Press Pass

Stewart Friesen recovering from injuries sustained in dirt modified crash

By
Angie Campbell
-
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, leads the field during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ecosave 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Veteran racer Stewart Friesen is recovering after suffering serious injuries in a violent crash. The incident occurred during a Super DIRTcar Series event at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec, Canada, on Monday evening.

During the event, his No. 44 dirt modified car flipped onto its side, striking the outside retaining wall. It rolled multiple times before bursting into flames. In the aftermath of the initial impact, another driver, unable to avoid the wreckage, collided with Friesen’s disabled vehicle.

Emergency responders were quick to the scene, working diligently to extract Friesen from the car. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital in Quebec for evaluation and treatment.

His wife, Jessica Friesen, has been providing updates on his condition through his social media account on X (formerly Twitter). She confirmed that Stewart has fractures to his pelvis and right leg and will require surgery to address his injuries.

In a post expressing gratitude, Jessica acknowledged the efforts of the safety teams and car manufacturers.

“Thank you to the manufacturers who have made dirt modifieds as safe as possible, and to the track crew for their patience and hard work getting Stew out of the car.”

She later shared that Friesen will be transferred to a hospital in New York on Wednesday, where he will undergo multiple surgeries in the coming days.

Friesen competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he has notched four career wins.

Further updates on his condition and recovery timeline are expected in the coming days.

July 31 Update:

August 1 Uupdate

The Essential and Immediate Steps Following a Bus Crash

By
SM
-
Photo by Pau Casals on Unsplash

The logistics, stress, and trauma following a bus crash can be an incredibly hard-to-navigate experience. Whether you are a passenger, driver, or pedestrian, having a game plan ready can significantly help you in ways such as physical recovery and legal protection. It’s a situation no one expects to find themselves in, but being prepared can make all the difference. If you’re in Maryland, consider contacting a Maryland bus crash accidents lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.

1. Prioritize Your Safety

As with any crash involving motor vehicles, your first and most immediate concern will be your safety. Immediately following the accident, check yourself for any injuries and assess them. Secondly, move to a safe location, if possible, especially if there is a life-threatening hazard such as a fire.

Once you’ve ensured your safety, you can then help the other parties involved with injuries and provide aid. Even if you feel fine, or another person involved vocalizes they are okay, you should seek medical attention. Some injuries, like a concussion, may not be readily apparent and can be lethal.

2. Call Emergency Services and Report the Crash

After you’re secure and safe, the next thing you should do is contact emergency services to rush to the scene to help with the situation. Emergency services will not only aid you and others but will also serve as an official record of the crash for legal and insurance purposes.

3. Accident Documentation

Documentation is an essential step because good documentation can save a ton of headaches for legal disputes and insurance claims. Do not try to document if the scene of the bus crash is still dangerous. Here is what you should document at the scene of the crash:

  • The Bus and any other involved vehicles
  • Current weather and road conditions
  • Injuries
  • Information such as license plates and bus numbers

All evidence you gather can be used to help with determining who is at fault or instances of negligence.

4. Collect Contact Information

If there are witnesses, or other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians involved in the bus crash, ensure you get their contact information and a statement if possible. A brief statement or even a few words about what they saw could provide vital clarity later on. Any testimony you gather can significantly benefit you in supporting your version of events.

Even minor accidents can cause months of headaches due to complicated legal situations. A legal professional or a law firm can ensure that your rights are protected, and you get the compensation you are entitled to. A skilled attorney can help you with evidence preservation, negotiation with insurance companies, and filing claims within the required legal deadlines. A good law firm, such as Rodriguez Law Firm, will handle the complexities mentioned above and give you that much-needed peace of mind.

Conclusion

Being involved in a bush crash can be a complex ordeal. Having any sort of game plan, even a mental one, can help you manage the aftermath of the incident much more effectively. Do not attempt to navigate the insurance and legal complexities alone, and don’t hesitate to reach out to qualified professionals for legal assistance. The sooner you take control of the situation, the more empowered and protected you’ll be moving forward.

Toyota GAZOO Racing Weekly Preview 07.30.25

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: July 28 – August 3, 2025

· NCS/NXS/ARCA: Iowa Speedway – Aug. 1-3

PLANO, Texas (July 30, 2025) – NASCAR remains in the Midwest this weekend, returning to Iowa Speedway with the Cup and Xfinity Series, along with a combined event for ARCA’s national and East series, in three days of action in America’s heartland.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NXS

Wallace coming off monumental triumph … Last weekend’s Brickyard 400 victory was the first in three years for Bubba Wallace, who now locks himself into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The 23XI Racing driver will have a shot at the championship for the second time in his career after also making the sport’s postseason in 2023. The Crown Jewel win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the third victory of Wallace’s career, joining his triumphs at Talladega Superspeedway in 2021 and Kansas Speedway in 2022.

Nemechek makes 100th career start … Sunday afternoon’s race at Iowa Speedway will mark the 100th in the Cup Series career of John Hunter Nemechek. The LEGACY MOTOR CLUB driver has had his best season to-date in 2025, with a top-five in the Daytona 500 and six top-10 finishes through 22 races. Nemechek returns to Iowa this weekend where he’s been victorious in NASCAR before, winning the Truck Series race in 2017.

Bell eager to continue Iowa prowess … Christopher Bell has shown a knack for Iowa Speedway over the course of his NASCAR career. The Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver finished fourth in the Cup Series debut around the 0.875-mile short oval last season and owns two Xfinity Series victories at the track, in 2018 and 2019. In his Trucks starts at Iowa, Bell captured three top-10s including two finishes in the top-five. Sunday offers the next chance for Bell to add another solid result, and potentially another win, in Iowa.

Sawalich continuing strong runs … With a sixth-place finish last Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, William Sawalich now has three consecutive top-10 finishes, the best stretch to-date of his young Xfinity Series career. The JGR driver has six top-10 results and one top-five (Sonoma) through 21 races this season. Sawalich will make his Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway this weekend, having two starts there in ARCA competition, finishing both in the runner-up spot.

Bonsignore returns to the No. 19 … For the first time since Pocono Raceway, and for the seventh time in his career, Justin Bonsignore will pilot the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for JGR in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway. Bonsignore has made five starts so far this season with JGR and makes his debut on the 0.875-mile short oval in Newton, Iowa, this weekend.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series National/East

Crews comes to Iowa seeking another win … Toyota Development Driver Brent Crews is once again behind the wheel of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota Camry this weekend, taking on Iowa Speedway on Friday. The JGR driver is coming off his third victory in ARCA competition this season after winning at Indianapolis Raceway Park last Friday night. Crews makes his first Iowa start this weekend and looks to add another trophy to his résumé, despite having fewer than 20 career starts in ARCA competition.

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 32 electrified options.

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

PATRICK EMERLING PARTNERS WITH MOTOPLEX OF NEBRASKA AT IOWA

By
Official Release
-

MOORESVILLE, NC, July 30, 2025 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Patrick Emerling today announced that he will partner with Motoplex of Nebraska for this Saturday’s HyVee Perks 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway. Emerling will compete in the No. 07 of SS-GreenLight Racing.

“A family that races together, stays together. We’re excited to partner with Patrick Emerling and the #07 of SS-GreenLight Racing,” said Motoplex of Nebraska owners Clayton and Kati Novotny.

Motoplex of Nebraska is a multi-location powersports dealership featuring nationally certified five-star status. They provide all sorts of products from Polaris®, Can-Am®, Honda®, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, ROXOR, Ariens, Sea-Doo®, Ski-Doo®, and Benelli to make your outdoor living easier and more enjoyable. They offer experience, fair prices, and a friendly atmosphere. Motoplex of Nebraska is big enough to cover the broad range of equipment needs you may have, yet small enough to greet you on a first-name basis and take care of your unique needs. With locations in Norfolk and Columbus, they have all your powersports needs covered in the Nebraska area!

Emerling’s livery will honor some of the Novotny’s family and friends, including members of the Weller family and the two pilots who worked with the family for decades who were killed in a tragic plane crash in June.

“I love working with such good people like the Novotnys,” said Emerling. “I’m proud to carry the names of the Weller family on my car this weekend. They were special people and loved by everyone at SS-GreenLight Racing.”

The HyVee Perks 250 (250 laps | 218.75 miles) is the 22nd of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2. It will be immediately followed by qualifying. The field is set to take the green flag later that day at 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on The CW, the Motor Racing Network (radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are Central Daylight Time.

For more information on Patrick Emerling, visit https://www.patrickemerlingracing.com/ or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PatrickEmerling07), X (https://twitter.com/PatrickEmerling) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/patrickemerling/). 

For more information on Motoplex of Nebraska, visit them at https://www.motoplexne.com/ or follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/motoplexofnorfolk/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/motoplexofnorfolk/).

Ford Performance NASCAR – Iowa Advance

By
Official Release
-

IOWA

Saturday, August 2 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 4:30 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, August 3 – NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (USA)

This weekend will mark the second straight year that Iowa Speedway is hosting a doubleheader with the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series. Two current Ford drivers are the defending winners of each race as Sam Mayer and Ryan Blaney look to make it two in a row in their respective events.

BLANEY GOING FOR IOWA REPEAT

Ryan Blaney dominated the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway last year, leading 201-of-350 laps as he completed a sweep by winning in all three of NASCAR’s top series at the ⅞-mile short track. In addition, it was the second time Blaney won an inaugural Cup race, following his triumph on the Charlotte Roval in 2018. Ultimately, Blaney and Penske teammate Joey Logano faced on a restart with 84 laps to go. As both drivers filled the front row, they battled door to door before Blaney eventually got clear and set sail to the checkered flag as the race went without a caution down the stretch.

MUSTANG CONTINUES WINNING TRADITION

The victory by Blaney last year at Iowa Speedway marked the 19th different track in which Mustang has won a NASCAR Cup Series race since hitting the circuit in 2019. Since then, the iconic muscle car took checkered flags at Nashville Superspeedway and Watkins Glen, meaning there are only four tracks on this year’s schedule where Mustang hasn’t gone to Victory Lane. Those four are Circuit of The Americas, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and the streets of Chicago. Overall, Mustang has 69 Cup points wins, along with victories in the inaugural Clash at the Coliseum and All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

(For more on how many Mustangs are racing globally this week, please see the bottom of this week’s advance.)

GILLILAND’S BIG DAY

Todd Gilliland matched his best-career finish on an oval in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Brickyard 400 when he survived the late-race delays and fuel mileage calculations to come home in sixth place. It was Gilliand’s second consecutive sixth-place finish at the Indianapolis oval after securing the same finishing position on the 2.5-mile oval in 2024. Gilliland’s best career finish also came at Indianapolis. However, that came on Indy’s road course when he finished fourth in 2022.

RYAN BLANEY: “Hopefully Iowa goes well. I’ve been really proud of our speed this year and I think we’ve had some great pace. We haven’t really finished many races as I would have liked, but I just try to always look for where our speed is at. Our team is working together properly and they’re doing a great job. Some bad finishes we can’t control, but I think our group is really firing on all cylinders right now. I think we got the pace and the teamwork to do it and our pit crews in a great spot.”

JOSH BERRY: “I’m excited to get back to Iowa. 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.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC: “Fortunately we were able to get there for the tire test, and the track has changed a ton. It’s hard to go in and feel like we have a leg up on the field after winning as a team last year, everybody had a chance to really learn the big chunks from last year. I’m sure there’s some confidence in the shop but it’s a pretty unique track as well with the partial repave and the challenge you have.”

200TH SERIES VICTORY

Two years after his historic win in the Daytona 500, Trevor Bayne provided another milestone for Ford when he notched its 200th all-time victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway on June 9, 2013. Bayne, who got married earlier in the week, took the lead from Austin Dillon with 12 laps to go and held on to register his second series victory. Ford currently has 286 all-time Xfinity series wins with Mark Martin holding down the top spot for most victories with 47. Carl Edwards is second with 38.

LEADER OF THE PACK

The NASCAR Xfinity Series has had 21 races at Iowa Speedway and Ford leads all manufacturers with nine victories, followed by Toyota (7) and Chevrolet (5). Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brad Keselowski are tied for the most wins among drivers with three each while Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe and Chris Buescher also have a victory at the short track.

MAYER GOING FOR TWO STRAIGHT

Sam Mayer has consistently been at the front this season as he and Sheldon Creed continue along in their first season with the Haas Factory Team. A year ago, Mayer outdueled Riley Herbst in overtime to capture the HyVee Perks 250 for his sixth career series triumph. The Wisconsin native went on to win once more on the Charlotte Roval before finishing the 2024 season third in the point standings.

MAYER TAKES FIRST POLE OF 2025

Sam Mayer earned his first NASCAR Xfinity Series pole of 2025 on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he secured the top spot on the grid for the Pennzoil 250. It was his first pole since Portland in 2024, which started a run of four top-five qualifying performances in the next seven races, including a fifth-place start at Iowa a couple weeks later.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT IOWA

2024 – Ryan Blaney

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

AT IOWA

2011 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Sweep)

2012 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1)

2013 – Trevor Bayne (1) and Brad Keselowski (2)

2014 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2015 – Chris Buescher (1) and Ryan Blaney (2)

2019 – Chase Briscoe (2)

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 44 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

1...384385386...6,650Page 385 of 6,650