Comprehensive Guide to NASCAR at Iowa: Schedule, Broadcast, and Participants





Your Ultimate Guide to the Iowa Speedway NASCAR Weekend
Anticipation Builds for the Iowa Speedway Races
After a brief hiatus, NASCAR revs back into action at Iowa Speedway, marking the twenty-third event in the 2026 regular season. Enthusiasts can look forward to a full weekend of competition, encompassing races from both the Cup and O'Reilly Series, in addition to the ARCA series.
Key Players and Championship Dynamics
William Byron, the reigning champion of the Iowa Cup race, seeks his first victory of the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin holds a commanding lead in the championship standings, with an 84-point advantage over Tyler Reddick. Austin Cindric is currently in a crucial position for the Chase qualification, sitting 38 points ahead of Ryan Preece.
Broadcast Coverage Shifts to NBC/USA Sports
The broadcast responsibilities for the remainder of the 2026 Cup season have transitioned from TNT to NBC/USA Sports, which will cover the final fourteen races. This ensures comprehensive coverage for fans eager to follow every moment of the season's climax.
Complete Weekend Schedule Overview
The racing festivities kick off on Friday, August 7, with practice and qualifying sessions for the ARCA Menards Series, culminating in a 100-lap race at 7:00 PM EST, broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1. Saturday, August 8, features practice and qualifying for the NASCAR O'Reilly and Cup Series, with the O'Reilly Series race (250 laps) scheduled for 5:00 PM EST on THE CW / ESPN UNLIMITED. The main event, the NASCAR Cup Series race (350 laps), will take place on Sunday, August 9, with a pre-race show at 3:00 PM EST and the green flag dropping at 3:40 PM EST, both airing on USA NETWORK.
Detailed Broadcast Information for the Cup Series Race
The Iowa Cup Series race on Sunday, August 9, promises thrilling action. Coverage begins at 3:00 PM EST on USA NETWORK, with the race officially starting at 3:40 PM EST. The event will span 350 laps, divided into stages of 70, 140, and 140 laps, requiring competitors to manage ten sets of tires. Fans can also tune into TSN in Canada or explore other international viewing options via NASCAR's official website. Live streaming will be available through USA NETWORK, and radio coverage will be provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The Lineup for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
A full roster of 36 entries, with no open teams, is confirmed for the Iowa Corn 350. This rare occurrence highlights the competitive nature of this year's event. Noteworthy participants include Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing), Austin Cindric (Team Penske), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), Noah Gragson (Front Row Motorsports), Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports), Brad Keselowski (RFK Racing), Daniel Suarez (Spire Motorsports), Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports), Ty Dillon (Kaulig Racing), Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing), Ryan Blaney (Team Penske), AJ Allmendinger (Kaulig Racing), Chris Buescher (RFK Racing), Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing), Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing), Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing), Joey Logano (Team Penske), Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing), William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports), Austin Hill (Richard Childress Racing), Todd Gilliland (Front Row Motorsports), Riley Herbst (23XI Racing), Zane Smith (Front Row Motorsports), Cole Custer (Haas Factory Team), John Hunter Nemechek (Legacy Motor Club), Erik Jones (Legacy Motor Club), Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing), Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Hyak Motorsports), Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports), Cody Ware (Rick Ware Racing), Ty Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing), Ryan Preece (RFK Racing), Michael McDowell (Spire Motorsports), Connor Zilisch (Trackhouse Racing), and Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing).