August 02, 2025

IZOD IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 250 – June 23

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IZOD IndyCar Series Driver Tony Kanaan scarfs down his celebratory slice of Pizza Ranch pizza after winning the 2010 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Kanaan's take on the track's custom for its winning drivers is certainly one of the most memorable in the history of the track.

The field of past winners speaks for itself in Iowa Speedway’s first major series race, which dates back to 2007.

Each year, the Iowa Corn Indy 250 brings the premier open-wheel racing stars to Iowa Speedway. With them in the past, the race has also brought plenty of action, as well as some rule changes throughout the years. For some extra perspective, the late, great Dan Wheldon and then-teammate Scott Dixon donated their winnings from the 2008 race to Iowa flood relief.

This year’s event will include the veritable who’s who of the IndyCar Series, including defending series and Iowa Speedway champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan, racing/dancing star Helio Castroneves and four-time series champion Dario Franchitti, among an ever-growing list of others.

Much like last season, the Iowa Corn Indy 250 will take place right in the middle of the series’ stretch of oval races, which proves to be a crucial time for grabbing points for certain drivers. Due to the series’ blend of road courses and ovals, drivers with a preference for either format must take advantage of certain races when they are presented.

Last year, the series experimented with heat race qualifying in lieu of the traditional format. Due to positive driver and fan reception, the series decided to bring that format back in 2013, but with a twist. Not only will the race’s starting grid depend on the outcome of the heat races, but series points will also be on the line.

Although many of the drivers expressed their concern for what could go wrong during heat race qualifying, they also expressed their desire that the format be used only at Iowa Speedway to keep the idea fresh. IndyCar Series brass heard what the drivers had to say, and beefed up the rewards of the race to make that risk a bit more worth it. Both of these factors make the IndyCar Series weekend in Newton a truly unique experience.

Hunter-Reay used the race as a springboard to his 2012 series championship, as it was the second of his three straight victories that rocketed him up the standings. Marco Andretti, a series fan favorite who was the 2011 winner, finished a near second. Another notable finish came from Franchitti, who earned the pole position by winning the first-ever heat race qualifying. However, during pace laps, Franchitti blew the engine that won him the 2012 Indy 500 and ended the night with a 25th-place finish.

On top of the aforementioned legends of the series that will return this season, fans can also expect to see the 2012 Rookie of the Year Simon Pagenaud, 2012 Most Popular Driver James Hinchcliffe and a host of other series mainstays and up-and-comers.

The series weekend will begin on Saturday, June 22 with the heat race qualifying and the Sukup 100 Indy Lights Series race, which showcases the drivers trying to break out in the IndyCar Series. Many of the series’ current stars earned their stripes in the series, just as 2013 Indy 500 runner-up Carlos Munoz did.