William Byron’s recent win at the NASCAR Cup Series race held at Iowa Speedway highlights his strong bond with the short track, which measures just .875 miles in length. Although the Cup Series has only hosted two events there, Byron’s connection to the track extends far beyond this latest victory, playing a significant role in his career development and success.
Before rising to full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports in 2018, Byron sharpened his racing skills through participation in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. However, even prior to competing in these national series, Byron invested extensive time racing on an iRacing simulator, with Iowa Speedway among the tracks he frequented the most virtually.
Following his triumph at Iowa, Byron spoke to reporters and shared details about his early experiences with the track and how that shaped his performance on the real asphalt.
The funny story, backstory with this place, and kind of Pocono ropes into that as well, is that when I was a kid, the iRacing schedule would always line up with the racetracks in the summer,
Byron explained. And that’s when I would have the most time to iRace was in the summer.
So, I would race this track a ton on iRacing. I feel like that’s why it’s been a good track for me.
—William Byron, NASCAR driver
Mastering Iowa Speedway Virtually Helped Shape Byron’s Driving Rhythm
For many years before the Cup Series made Iowa Speedway part of its official schedule in 2024, both the Xfinity and Truck Series regularly raced there in summer months, coinciding with the time Byron spent practicing on iRacing. The hours spent virtually competing on Iowa’s distinctive short track allowed him to internalize its nuances and rhythm, an advantage he credits for his recent success.
I have thousands of laps in my head of how the rhythm of this place goes,
Byron said, reflecting on his deep mental familiarity with Iowa Speedway.
And even with repaves and everything, I feel like I just spent so much time as a 14-year-old, 13-year-old just racing on iRacing on Iowa and Pocono.
I feel like those tracks in the summer, it honestly lines up pretty good (for me). Those are usually our fastest tracks.
—William Byron, NASCAR driver
This strong preparatory background gave Byron a distinct edge when he arrived at the Iowa Speedway this past weekend, enabling him to leverage his experience into tangible race success.
William Byron Joins Exclusive Club with Wins in All Three National NASCAR Series at Iowa
Before his recent Iowa victory, William Byron had been seeking to end a brief winless streak that followed his back-to-back Daytona 500 wins to start the 2025 season. His win at Iowa Speedway not only ended that drought but also secured a rare accomplishment, placing him as just the second driver to earn wins at Iowa in the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series. Ryan Blaney is the only other driver to achieve this trifecta.
Byron’s previous victories at Iowa date back to his time in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports in 2017, when he claimed a win en route to the series championship. One year earlier, he earned a Truck Series victory at the track during his full-time stint with Kyle Busch Motorsports. Capturing wins across all three national stock car series at a single venue is a notable milestone in NASCAR, reflecting versatility and sustained high performance.
Despite the significance of the achievement, Byron admitted he had not initially set out with that goal in mind during race weekend preparations.
Yeah, I mean, I think it means a lot to my dad, honestly,
Byron said after the race.
He loves this place. That was one of his encouragements towards me throughout the weekend. He’s like, ‘Man, go for the trifecta.’ I hadn’t thought about it until now really. But it’s definitely going to be special long-term. It’s something I’ll definitely look back on.
In the moment, though, I think it’s all about what we’re doing this season. And to get a second win on the year is really awesome for our confidence as a team and going forward.
—William Byron, NASCAR driver
The Impact of Iowa Speedway on Byron’s NASCAR Journey Moving Forward
William Byron’s victory at Iowa Speedway not only reinforces the track’s importance in his racing development but also demonstrates the power of virtual training to complement physical skill. His familiarity with Iowa’s challenging layout, nurtured years ago through iRacing, translated into real-world racecraft and results, proving foundational to his career trajectory.
This latest win helps solidify Byron’s position at the top of the NASCAR Cup Series standings and adds momentum to his 2025 campaign. Additionally, joining Ryan Blaney as the only drivers to win at Iowa across all three national NASCAR series highlights Byron’s adaptability and competitive consistency across different levels of stock car racing.
As the season progresses, Byron’s strong connection to Iowa Speedway and his inherited motivation from his father suggest he will continue striving for excellence, fueling hopes for further victories and milestones in NASCAR’s premier divisions.
