Iowa Speedway will host the NASCAR Cup Series with the Iowa Corn 350 this weekend for the first time in history. It is the first time it’s hosted a NASCAR event since 2019. We go to the 7/8th mile track after an eventful race weekend at Sonoma. We’re unsure what to expect from a freshly repaved track. A track that hasn’t seen a ton of action from today’s Cup Series drivers. But not all differences are bad.
We’re coming off a week where Kaleb had solid picks, with Chris Buescher taking home P3 and Ross Chastain taking P5. The fade of Tyler Reddick yielded P8, but we’re not complaining with two hits on the pick. Chris on the other hand, had Chase Elliott with a P4. But Brad Keselowski took home P13, and his fade of Christopher Bell yielded P9. But it’s a new week, and nobody knows what to expect. Let’s get into this week’s picks for the Iowa Corn 350!
Chris’s Picks: #5 Kyle Larson (+550) & #22 Joey Logano (+850)
Embed from Getty ImagesYeah, yeah safe picks again from Chris. I’m sure that is what everyone is thinking right? Well, I mean, you can look at it that way if you choose. I see them more as common sense picks. Think about it okay, Joey Logano. In the first dirt race at Bristol Joey parked it in victory lane. Then in the first Clash at the L. A Coliseum who else other than Joey Logano once again winded up in victory lane. First trips to tracks for the cup series at least oval tracks seem to always work out for Joey. Plus as of late his performance has been picking up, well really the whole Penske group as a whole has. Joey could easily park his #22 Mustang Darkhorse in victory lane for the first time this season.
Now as for the other choice. Well, I mean come on can you go wrong with Kyle Larson? I mean a new track is going to easily suit his driving style of searching around for the fastest line. Plus he did get to come to the tire test a few weeks ago so that is on track time and data. Once again, there are two more pluses for the best driver and crew chief arguably in the series right now. Put money on Larson and feel good about it!
Kaleb’s Picks: #1 Ross Chastain (+2800) & #12 Ryan Blaney (+800)
Embed from Getty ImagesRoss Chastain has had some really solid speed in recent weeks. He’s only finished below P13 once since Texas back in April where he suffered an accident. I’ve loved what I’ve seen out of the #1 car in recent weeks. There’s a return of tenacity and aggressiveness that we haven’t seen since a run of incidents last year. He also has the advantage of running Iowa Speedway a ton during his time in Truck Series and Xfinity Series action. Now, it’s probably very different, but we look for any advantage we can.
As for Ryan Blaney, he and Christopher Bell have had similar levels of dominance on these short tracks. While Christopher Bell is the odds-on favorite at +380, Blaney at +800 might be just as good of a bet. He had a win locked at Gateway before inexplicably running out of gas. A top five at Phoenix, Martinsville, Dover, and North Wilkesboro. This could be a great car if Penkse brings the horses that they have as of late. Keep an eye out for Young Ryan Blaney to get his first win of the year. A win that is pretty overdue for one of the top Fords in NASCAR in 2024.
Chris’s Fade: #8 Kyle Busch +2500
Embed from Getty ImagesSo, my original choice this week to fade was going to be Bubba Wallace, however, his odds were way too obvious to fade and these odds kind of stood out to me. I know they aren’t the best but how after the season this team and driver have had thus far are they even better than the likes of Bowman, and Gragson who both have had way better seasons performance-wise than Kyle? It just isn’t Rowdy’s season. He’s had a few solid weeks but nothing really up the par of being Kyle Busch. I’m pulling for him to keep his win streak up in his career winning a race for like twenty years now I believe. This week though I think it’s best to stay away from Kyle. At least until he proves otherwise. This will probably happen this week because that’s how these things typically go right?
Kaleb’s Fade: #19 Martin Truex Jr (+1000)
Embed from Getty ImagesMartin Truex Jr is at the top of the list of drivers who need a good day. He hasn’t posted a top-five since Kansas a month ago. His high finish since then was a P12 at Darlington. Whether it’s bad pit strategy or pit stops in general, running out of gas as we saw above, I just haven’t loved what I’ve seen out of the #19 team. He’s clearly frustrated, retirement is looming in the rearview mirror and catching up quickly. Much like the reflection of the #5 car at Sonoma last weekend. I just don’t see it with Truex Jr this week, and I need to see it to believe it. He’s got a great lead on the points standings and should make the post-season at the very least. But until he gets a win and puts together some vintage Martin Truex Jr outings, he may be a first-round exit. I don’t love his odds at the Iowa Corn 350, and I’ll stay clear of him this week.
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