Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series driver, celebrated a long-awaited victory at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. Blaney led an impressive 201 laps during the inaugural Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol race on Sunday, June 16, 2024. This win comes after a 17-race winless streak, marking his 11th career victory and his first win of the year.
Blaney’s strategic decision to take only two tires during the final pit stop, while most of his competitors opted for four, proved to be the winning move. The Team Penske driver managed to hold off William Byron in the No. 24 Chevrolet, crossing the finish line with a lead of 0.716 seconds. The victory was a significant milestone for Blaney, who had failed to secure a win in the 2022 season.
Following closely behind Byron were Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The race saw its fair share of challenges, with tire issues plaguing several drivers throughout the event. Polesitter Kyle Larson faced his own struggles, as tire problems forced him to make unscheduled pit stops.
Despite Larson’s dominance in Stage 1 and Stage 2, his hopes for a win were dashed during a late-race restart. A three-wide move led to contact with Daniel Suarez, ultimately sending Larson’s car into the wall. This incident opened the door for Blaney to take the lead and secure the victory, earning valuable playoff bonus points in the process.
The Iowa Corn 350 was a thrilling race that showcased both the skill and resilience of the drivers. Blaney’s triumph underlines the unpredictable nature of NASCAR racing, where strategic decisions and in-race incidents can shape the outcome. As the season progresses, fans can expect more exhilarating races and unexpected results on the track.