Recapping first Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway

NASCAR’s Cup Series has made its way to Iowa for the first time.

Top drivers competed in the Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway. It was the culmination of Summer Race Weekend in Newton, which began with the Atlas 150 (ARCA Menards Series) on Friday and the Hy-Vee Perks 250 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) on Saturday.

Look below to relive some of the race’s top moments.

RACE STORY:Ryan Blaney wins Iowa Corn 350, the first NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa Speedway in Newton

9:09 p.m. – Ryan Blaney wins Iowa Corn 350

No. 12 Ryan Blaney has taken the crown at the Iowa Corn 350, becoming the winner of the first NASCAR Cup Series race in Iowa.

It is his first victory of the season with nine races still remaining.

8:53 p.m. – Ryan Blaney leads with 40 laps to go

No. 12 Ryan Blaney leads in the first stretch of the final stage.

He is followed by No. 24 William Byron and No. 9 Chase Elliott.

8:40 p.m. – Kyle Busch’s day is done

After citing an issue with one of his rear wheels, No. 8 Kyle Busch was forced to retire from the race and take his car to the garage.

8:30 p.m. – Caution called as Chris Buescher hits the wall

Tire issues continue to be a story of this race. As drivers’ pace increased with temperatures dropping, No. 17 Chris Buescher blew a tire and hit a wall, forcing another caution.

Many drivers will go to the pits during the stoppage.

8:05 p.m. – Final stage starts with a Kyle Larson crash and caution

Sandwiched in between two cars, No. 5 Kyle Larson got hit and banged into a couple cars before hitting the wall and spinning out. His car was able to drive off the track, but the race’s seventh caution was called.

According to the broadcast, Larson’s pit crew will have to look at his car’s suspension as it is not driving straight.

8 p.m. – Kyle Larson wins Stage 2

After a runner-up finish in Stage 1, No. 5 Kyle Larson finished comfortably in first to end Stage 2.

He’s led for 75 laps today, and this marked his eighth stage victory of the season, the most of the field.

Josh Berry came in second, followed by Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace.

7:37 p.m. – Christopher Bell takes lead in Stage 2

Nearing 180 laps down and half the race over, No. 20 Christopher Bell took the lead in Stage 2 when Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott took pit stops.

Several cars have blown tires and hit the wall, but a caution has not been issued in a long while.

7:48 p.m. – Race restarts after 5th caution

After several blown tires, a fifth caution was finally called when No. 31 Daniel Hemrick lightly hit a wall. The seemingly minor bump leading to a caution yielded some audible frustration from at least one driver.

No. 5 Kyle Larson is back in front after the restart and many pits stops recently by drivers.

7:20 p.m. – Ryan Blaney continues to hold a slim lead

No. 12 Ryan Blaney has held a slim lead for the entirety of Stage 2.

No. 24 William Byron has been stead in second, and No. 9 Chase Elliott has climbed into the third spot.

Multiple cars have also blown at least one tire as the race begins to take shape and the track becomes a factor more and more.

6:55 p.m. – 4th caution comes out as Noah Gragson almost wrecks

No. 10 Noah Gragson was hit and looked like his car was heading for a wreck before straightening out, but the fourth caution of the race still came out.

6:46 p.m. – Ryan Blaney gets Stage 1 win

After closely trailing Kyle Larson for much of the first stage, No. 12 Ryan Blaney came out with the win through the first 70 laps, with Larson closely behind.

Daniel Suarez, William Byron and Josh Berry round out the top-5.

6:35 p.m. – AJ Allmendinger blows a tire

On the 51st lap, No. 16 AJ Allmendinger blew a tire, forcing the second caution of the race.

He lightly hit the track wall but did not impact any other vehicles. He will get a two-tire pitstop and continue.

6:25 p.m. – Kyle Larson with a comfortable early lead

Nearly 30 laps in, No. 5 Kyle Larson has established a comfortable lead in front of the pack.

He entered +500 to win, second among the field’s betting odds.

6:17 p.m. – Race starts again

A few minutes after Corey LaJoie spun out, the race is now back on at full speed.

6:15 p.m. – Corey LaJoie spins out

Unfortunately for Hawkeyes fans, the Iowa-themed car driven by Cory LaJoie was hit and spun out, drawing the race’s first caution.

6:10 p.m. – The race has begun

Drivers and their cars are warmed up and the first laps are underway.

There will be 350 laps in total, and the broadcast mentioned that drivers will be using the initial time to evaluate the track and driving conditions since many cars experienced blown tires previously at the Iowa Speedway.

First appeared on www.desmoinesregister.com

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