Iowa Qualifying Results Set the Stage for a Heated NASCAR Battle on Sunday

Sarah Talker

Alright, NASCAR fans, buckle up because the Iowa Corn 350 is shaping up to be one hell of a spectacle. Suppose you’re not already buzzing with anticipation. In that case, it might be time to grab another shot of espresso because Iowa Speedway just gave us a qualifying session packed with jaw-dropping moments and breakneck speeds.

 Who saw Chase Briscoe coming in hot with his sixth pole of the season? The guy is quietly becoming a qualifying wizard. With a blistering lap time of 23.004 seconds and speeds reaching 136.933 mph, Briscoe reminded everyone why he’s a force at Joe Gibbs Racing. If you’re a Briscoe fan, feel free to yell at the top of your lungs because he’s earned it.

But wait, this isn’t a one-man show; William Byron was right on Briscoe’s heels with a speed of 136.435 mph. Hendrick Motorsports continues to prove they’re always in the mix. And of course, Kyle Larson wasn’t far behind, because why would he be? Look, this trio could very well dominate Sunday, but knowing NASCAR, some drama-laden twists will keep us all guessing. Don’t even pack the checkered flag just yet.

Who Took the Pole at Iowa? Spoiler Alert: It’s Chase Briscoe

Chase Briscoe’s pole position is like that little cherry on top of an already stellar qualifying season. Six poles in one season? Just give the man a badge already. His performance Saturday wasn’t just about numbers, even though 136.933 mph is, undoubtedly, impressive. It was a masterclass in finding every fraction of speed around Newton’s 0.875-mile short track.

With these numbers, Briscoe’s team might be thinking, “Can we carry this momentum into Sunday?” Honestly, that’s the million-dollar question. Briscoe has crushed qualifying this year, but the race itself is a different beast. We saw similar situations earlier this season where pole position didn’t translate to a podium finish. Is Briscoe cursed or just unlucky? Sunday will tell.

Iowa Corn 350 Starting Lineup Is Packed With Talent

The starting grid for the Iowa Corn 350 isn’t just a list. It’s a who’s who of NASCAR talent.

  • 1. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 2. William Byron, No. 24 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 3. Kyle Larson, No. 5 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 4. Austin Cindric, No.2 (Team Penske, Ford)
  • 5. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 (RFK Racing, Ford)
  • 6. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 (Team Penske, Ford)
  • 7. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 8. Chase Elliott, No. 9 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 9. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 10. Justin Haley, No. 7 (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 11. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 12. Josh Berry, No. 21 (Woods Brothers Racing, Ford)
  • 13. Michael McDowell, No. 71 (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 14. Joey Logano, No. 22 (Team Penske, Ford)
  • 15. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 (23XL Racing, Toyota)
  • 16. Alex Bowman, No. 48 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 17. Christopher Bell, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 18. Austin Dillon, No. 3 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 19. Cole Custer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
  • 20. Ty Gibbs No. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 21. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 22. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 (23XL Racing, Toyota)
  • 23. Zane Smith, No. 38 (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
  • 24. Riley Herbst, No. 35 (23XL Racing, Toyota)
  • 25. Erik Jones No. 43 (Legacy Motor Club, Toyota)
  • 26. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 27. Chris Buescher, No. 17 (RFK Racing, Ford)
  • 28. Ross Chastain, No. 1 (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 29. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 (Legacy Motor Club, Toyota)
  • 30. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 (HYAK Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 31. Noah Gragson, No. 4 (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
  • 32. Ty Dillon, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 33. Ryan Preece, No. 60 (RFK Racing, Ford)
  • 34. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
  • 35. Cody Ware, No. 51 (Rick Ware Racing, Ford)
  • 36. Joey Gase, No. 66 (Garage 66, Ford)
  • 37. Kyle Busch, No. 8 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)

Further down, you’ve got heavy hitters like Ryan Blaney (P6) and Carson Hocevar (P7), who could easily make moves to shake up the order. And don’t sleep on Chase Elliott (P8). When he’s on, he’s ON. AJ Allmendinger and Justin Haley round out the top 10, bringing a nice mix of veteran poise and youthful exuberance to the fold.

Can the Second Ever Cup Race at Iowa Live Up to the Hype?

For all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Iowa’s second Cup race, one thing is clear that there are massive shoes to fill. Last year’s inaugural race saw Ryan Blaney take home the gold, but only after dodging early wrecks and maneuvering like a pro through 350 intense laps. Blaney starts sixth this year, meaning last year’s champ is still in striking distance of another win.

Unlike Kyle Larson, who got caught in lap traffic carnage in 2024, Blaney will be hoping his sixth starting position is lucky enough to avoid a similar catastrophe. Iowa might be a newcomer to the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, but the short-track vibes and tight battles have already earned it cult status.

The venue itself, with its rich ARCA and Xfinity series history, adds an old-school layer to this relatively fresh event. Add in optimal weather, hello, 70 degrees, and blue skies, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for what could be an unforgettable race.

What Does Sunday Have in Store?

The Iowa Corn 350 will likely come down to strategy. With 350 laps around a relatively short track, pit strategy and tire management could easily decide the winner. Last year, we saw teams like Team Penske nail their plan, so it’ll be interesting to see if that holds up in 2025. Also, watch for those mid-pack drivers like Bubba Wallace (P15) and Alex Bowman (P16). Drivers at the edge of the playoff bubble might take bigger risks, knowing every single point matters.

Don’t Miss It

 If you’re even thinking about skipping Sunday’s race, reconsider your life choices. Whether you’re watching for Chase Briscoe’s redemption arc or to see if anyone can disrupt Hendrick Motorsports’ stranglehold on the top five, Iowa Speedway is where you want to be this weekend with its mix of speed, drama, and a touch of unpredictability.

The Iowa Corn 350 promises all the thrills that NASCAR fans crave. Make sure to grab your snacks, tell your friends, and settle in for an action-packed Sunday. Oh, and pro tip? Don’t blink. You might miss the moment that decides the entire race.

Sarah is a writer with a passion for delivering interesting yet informative news stories about motorsports including NASCAR, IMSA, F1, and IndyCar. She has covered the Daytona 500 and the Wurth 400 live and is highly passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise across the motorsports industry.

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