NASCAR returns to Iowa Speedway: Who to watch at the Iowa Corn 350
By John Damon | Just The News Iowa
The NASCAR Cup Series roars into Iowa Speedway this Sunday for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol, a race that carries extra weight as the regular season winds down. With only four races left before the playoffs begin on Sept. 6, drivers on the postseason bubble are feeling the pressure.
Ryan Blaney secured the pole position in qualifying on Saturday and enters as the betting favorite at +250 odds. But the field is deep, and several contenders are looking to make a statement on the short track in Newton.
Why this race matters for Iowa
The Iowa Corn 350 is more than just a race. It is a showcase for Iowa's agricultural and energy sectors, particularly ethanol production. The event highlights the state's role as a leader in renewable fuels, a key issue for many Iowa voters who value energy independence and farm-to-fuel innovation.
For local fans, this is a rare chance to see NASCAR's top drivers compete on home soil. Iowa Speedway has become a regular stop on the Cup Series calendar, and the event draws thousands of spectators from across the Midwest.
Top contenders and betting odds
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the favorites for Sunday's race include:
- Ryan Blaney (+250)
- Joey Logano (+650)
- Christopher Bell (+650)
- Ty Gibbs (+700)
- Denny Hamlin (+850)
- Kyle Larson (+850)
Blaney's strong qualifying run and recent form make him a logical pick. But as any Iowa farmer knows, the race is not won on paper.
Model picks: Who to fade and who to back
Mike McClure, a professional DFS player with more than $2 million in career winnings, has developed a computer model that simulates every lap 10,000 times. The model has correctly predicted 30 winners since 2021, including Denny Hamlin's back-to-back wins at Michigan and Pocono in June.
For the Iowa Corn 350, McClure's model is fading defending champion William Byron at +1100. Byron has a win and a runner-up finish in two starts at Iowa, but he remains winless in 2026 and has finished 12th or worse in five of his last six races. The model projects him to barely crack the top 10.
On the flip side, the model is high on Kyle Larson at +850, calling him a top-2 contender. Larson has been plagued by accidents recently, but he led 80 laps at this race in 2024 before a crash. His short-track pedigree is strong, and the model sees him as a serious threat.
McClure is also backing a longshot at higher than +1500 who could make a run for the top of the leaderboard, potentially delivering a big payday for bettors. Those picks are available exclusively at SportsLine.
Playoff implications
For drivers near the postseason cut line like Austin Cindric, Ryan Preece, and Erik Jones, every point matters. A strong finish at Iowa could be the difference between racing for a championship or watching from home.
Iowa fans should keep an eye on these underdogs. Short tracks often produce surprises, and the 0.875-mile oval at Newton has a history of delivering drama.
How to watch and bet
The Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol airs Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Fans can also stream the race via the NBC Sports app.
For those looking to place bets, odds are available at FanDuel Sportsbook and other sportsbooks. As always, bet responsibly.
Full starting lineup (odds via FanDuel)
- Ryan Blaney (+250)
- Joey Logano (+650)
- Christopher Bell (+650)
- Ty Gibbs (+700)
- Denny Hamlin (+850)
- Kyle Larson (+850)
- William Byron (+1100)
- Ross Chastain (+1600)
- Tyler Reddick (+1600)
- Chase Briscoe (+2000)
- Brad Keselowski (+2000)
- Chase Elliott (+3000)
- Josh Berry (+3000)
- Carson Hocevar (+3300)
- Austin Cindric (+3500)
- Bubba Wallace (+3500)
- Connor Zilisch (+4500)
- Austin Dillon (+5000)
- Todd Gilliland (+5500)
- Ryan Preece (+6000)
- Alex Bowman (+6500)
- Chris Buescher (+6500)
- Erik Jones (+6500)
- Shane Van Gisbergen (+6500)
- Michael McDowell (+8000)
- Daniel Suarez (+10000)
- John Hunter Nemechek (+10000)
- Noah Gragson (+10000)
- Zane Smith (+12500)
- AJ Allmendinger (+17500)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+17500)
- Austin Hill (+35000)
- Riley Herbst (+35000)
- Ty Dillon (+50000)
- Cole Custer (+50000)
- Cody Ware (+50000)