In just two days, the NASCAR Cup Series makes its debut at Iowa Speedway with the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol.
Though 29 of the 36 drivers in the field have prior experience at Iowa in the Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, this will be a first for them in the Next Gen car. And with this historic race day just around the corner, Racing Insights has made its predictions for the full finishing order, including who will take the checkered flag.
Racing Insights uses an “advanced statistical formula that includes current track, current track type, recent performance, team data and pit-crew data to arrive at a projected winner and full race results.”
1) Kyle Larson
Larson, the current points leader, is less than one week removed from capturing the checkered flag at Sonoma, his third win of the season. Heading into this Sunday at Iowa, Larson has several things going for him. For starters, Larson participated in the Goodyear tire test last month at Iowa, which underwent a partial repave in preparation for the race.
Larson has been dominant at short tracks recently, finishing sixth or better in nine of his last 10 starts. He won at Martinsville and Richmond last season and could be poised to get it done at Iowa this Sunday. Oh, and it should be noted Father’s Day is on Sunday. Larson won on Father’s Day back in 2021 at Nashville.
2) Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin enters the Iowa Corn 350 coming off one of the most disappointing days of his lengthy career. Just two laps into the race at Sonoma, Hamlin’s engine blew up, his run coming to a very premature end. Though he’s one of the seven drivers with no experience at Iowa, nobody has been better at short tracks this season.
Hamlin has victories at Bristol and Richmond and has finished top-three in five of the last six short track races. Before the stumble at Iowa, Hamlin was riding a five-race top-five streak dating back to his win at Dover.
3) Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell has been hard to figure out this season. Some weeks, as seen during his wins at Phoenix and Charlotte, as well as his dominant run at Gateway before having a mechanical issue, Bell has been the best car on the track. Other weeks, he’s been a mid-pack racer and already has three DNFs this season.
But based on recent form, Bell is certainly one to watch. He’s tallied three consecutive top 10s, including that victory in the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600. Bell also has two wins and two P2 finishes under his belt at Iowa in the Xfinity Series.
4) Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. hasn’t been on the right side of luck often this season. That continued at Sonoma, his car running out of gas on the final lap while running P2, resulting in a 27th-place finish. Truex has been very consistent, however, and has led many laps this season, 447 to be exact.
And with his career seemingly coming to an end after this season, Truex certainly wants to pick up at least one more win before hanging it up for good. Could it happen at Iowa? We shall see.
5) Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott was one of the favorites to win at Sonoma last week, and at times, looked like he had a car capable of winning. While that didn’t happen, Elliott still came out with a P4 finish. A winner at Texas earlier this season, Elliott has been racking up points in recent weeks.
He’s recorded seven top 10s in his last 10 starts and has finished no worse than 15th during that stretch. Elliott has two prior starts at Iowa in the Truck Series, finishing P31 and P5, respectively.
Racing Insights’ Predictions for Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway
| Projected Finish | Car No. | Driver |
| 6 | 6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 7 | 24 | William Byron |
| 8 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 9 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 10 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 11 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 12 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 13 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 14 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 15 | 14 | Chase Briscoe |
| 16 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 17 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 18 | 4 | Josh Berry |
| 19 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 20 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 21 | 41 | Ryan Preece |
| 22 | 99 | Daniel Suárez |
| 23 | 10 | Noah Gragson |
| 24 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 25 | 34 | Michael McDowell |
| 26 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 27 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 28 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 29 | 38 | Todd Gilliland |
| 30 | 51 | Justin Haley |
| 31 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 32 | 7 | Corey LaJoie |
| 33 | 31 | Daniel Hemric |
| 34 | 21 | Harrison Burton |
| 35 | 71 | Zane Smith |
| 36 | 15 | Kaz Grala |
| 37 | 66 | David Starr |
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
