The NASCAR Cup Series has visited Iowa Speedway only twice, with its debut last year and the most recent race on Sunday, where William Byron secured the victory. Despite finishing second, Chase Briscoe expressed dissatisfaction with how the race unfolded and suggested a crucial track improvement to enhance racing quality. Briscoe believes that a full repave of Iowa Speedway, rather than the limited resurfacing done previously, is necessary to improve competition and allow for more overtaking opportunities on the 0.875-mile oval.
Briscoe’s Perspective on Track Conditions and Strategy
Following the race, Briscoe reflected on his efforts to challenge Byron but acknowledged the limits of his car’s grip and speed.
“I feel like we kind of maximized the strategy that played out there,”
he said.
“I got to William and once I got there, just kind of died. I didn’t really have anything else left. He was able to drive away there. So he did a really good job.”
His comments emphasize the difficulty of racing at Iowa Speedway under current conditions, where track position heavily influences the outcome.
Why Briscoe Wants the Entire Track Repaved
Currently, only the corners of Iowa Speedway were repaved about a month before the inaugural Cup race last year, while the front and back stretches have the original surface. Briscoe hopes to see a full repave extending
“all the way to the wall”
to create more racing room. He explained that the track‘s narrow width and resulting “dirty air” limit drivers’ ability to pass and choose different racing lines.
“I wish they’d repave this place all the way to the wall, just so we could have more room to move around,”
he said.
Briscoe also described how the old pavement surface would encourage more tire spinning and better handling, which leads to more exciting racing.
“It’s definitely really difficult to pass. You’re so limited. The racetrack’s only two or three lanes wide and you just take the guy’s air. If we had the old surface, it’d be unbelievable. As soon as we get on the old pavement, you just start spinning the tires,”
he added.
“It would be awesome but obviously we don’t have that, but hopefully they can repave it to the wall just because then you can at least get out of the way, run some different places and I think it’d be back to the old Iowa real quickly,”
Briscoe concluded, looking ahead to potential improvements.
Briscoe’s Experience and Success at Iowa Speedway
Chase Briscoe has built a strong reputation at Iowa Speedway. In addition to his recent runner-up finish in the Cup Series race, he also competed in the 2024 inaugural Cup race there, finishing 28th. Beyond the Cup Series, Briscoe boasts three Xfinity Series starts at Iowa, including a victory and three top-10 results. He has also achieved a top-10 finish in a single Truck Series event at the track. This extensive experience supports his insights and recommendations for changes to Iowa Speedway.
Looking Forward: Potential Impact of Repaving on NASCAR Racing at Iowa
Briscoe’s call for a full repave highlights concerns shared by drivers struggling with limited passing zones and track position battles at Iowa Speedway. Changes to the surface could foster closer, more competitive racing consistent with the excitement NASCAR seeks with the Next Gen car. If officials take action, upcoming races at Iowa may see improved tire grip and additional width for multiple racing lines, allowing drivers to maneuver and challenge one another more freely.
This development could significantly influence strategy and outcomes in future NASCAR events on the short oval, directly impacting drivers like Briscoe and champions such as William Byron. As the series returns to Iowa, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if these requested modifications come to fruition, potentially enhancing the spectacle and intensity of NASCAR racing at this venue.
