Ryan Blaney set the fast time in Saturday’s qualifying session for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Newton, Iowa, for the Iowa Corn 350, bringing short-track intensity back to the fast 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway. Known for its multiple racing grooves and heavy tire wear, the track puts a premium on finding the right balance between speed and tire management. Over 350 laps, drivers will need to conserve their tires on long runs while crew chiefs look for the right pit strategy, making track position especially valuable.
With the regular season nearing its end, the pressure is mounting for drivers on or near the playoff cutline. Short-track standouts like Ryan Blaney and William Byron are among the drivers to watch, but the entire field will be fighting for every position and point. Expect aggressive restarts, close side-by-side racing, and plenty of contact as drivers push their cars to the limit with a playoff spot on the line.
Coverage of the race airs on USA beginning at 3:30 pm ET.
Iowa Cup Series Starting Lineup
Qualifying: Aug 8, 2026; Race: August 9, 2026
|
POSITION
|
BEST SPEED
|
BEST TIME
|
BEHIND
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
R. Blaney #12
|
134.191
|
23.474
|
Winner
|
|
2 |
K. Larson #5
|
134.088
|
23.492
|
0.018
|
|
3 |
J. Logano #22
|
134.088
|
23.492
|
0.018
|
|
4 |
B. Keselowski #6
|
134.025
|
23.503
|
0.029
|
|
5 |
T. Reddick #45
|
133.911
|
23.523
|
0.049
|
|
6 |
T. Gibbs #54
|
133.786
|
23.545
|
0.071
|
|
7 |
A. Dillon #3
|
133.786
|
23.545
|
0.071
|
|
8 |
C. Zilisch #88
|
133.758
|
23.550
|
0.076
|
|
9 |
R. Chastain #1
|
133.667
|
23.566
|
0.092
|
|
10 |
E. Jones #43
|
133.503
|
23.595
|
0.121
|
|
11 |
M. McDowell #71
|
133.486
|
23.598
|
0.124
|
|
12 |
A. Cindric #2
|
133.480
|
23.599
|
0.125
|
|
13 |
J. Berry #21
|
133.463
|
23.602
|
0.128
|
|
14 |
Z. Smith #38
|
133.378
|
23.617
|
0.143
|
|
15 |
N. Gragson #4
|
133.333
|
23.625
|
0.151
|
|
16 |
R. Stenhouse Jr #47
|
133.232
|
23.643
|
0.169
|
|
17 |
T. Gilliland #34
|
133.175
|
23.653
|
0.179
|
|
18 |
C. Hocevar #77
|
133.164
|
23.655
|
0.181
|
|
19 |
W. Byron #24
|
133.125
|
23.662
|
0.188
|
|
20 |
C. Briscoe #19
|
133.119
|
23.663
|
0.189
|
|
21 |
J. Nemechek #42
|
133.119
|
23.663
|
0.189
|
|
22 |
C. Bell #20
|
133.057
|
23.674
|
0.200
|
|
23 |
S. Van Gisbergen #97
|
133.012
|
23.682
|
0.208
|
|
24 |
A. Hill #33
|
132.984
|
23.687
|
0.213
|
|
25 |
A. Allmendinger #16
|
132.906
|
23.701
|
0.227
|
|
26 |
B. Wallace #23
|
132.861
|
23.709
|
0.235
|
|
27 |
C. Buescher #17
|
132.811
|
23.718
|
0.244
|
|
28 |
R. Herbst #35
|
132.749
|
23.729
|
0.255
|
|
29 |
D. Hamlin #11
|
132.565
|
23.762
|
0.288
|
|
30 |
A. Bowman #48
|
132.481
|
23.777
|
0.303
|
|
31 |
T. Dillon #10
|
132.342
|
23.802
|
0.328
|
|
32 |
C. Elliott #9
|
132.247
|
23.819
|
0.345
|
|
33 |
D. Suárez #7
|
132.087
|
23.848
|
0.374
|
|
34 |
C. Ware #51
|
131.965
|
23.870
|
0.396
|
|
35 |
R. Preece #60
|
131.447
|
23.964
|
0.490
|
|
36 |
C. Custer #41
|
131.228
|
24.004
|
0.530
|
