Newgarden dominated to win Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway

NEWTON, Iowa – After this display, they might just have to rename the hometown of Iowa Speedway to Newgarden, Iowa.

Josef Newgarden has been the bridesmaid the last two years at Iowa Speedway, finishing runner-up at the Iowa Corn 300 in 2014 and 2015. The Ed Carpenter Racing driver wasn’t to be denied this time. Driving the No. 21 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka/ECR Chevrolet, Newgarden cruised from a front-row start to his third career win. Newgarden, who sustained a fractured clavicle and right hand in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway last month, showed no signs of struggle from the injury as he led a record 282 laps en route to his first oval win by 4.2828 seconds over Will Power.

The win vaulted Newgarden into second in the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series standings, 73 points behind Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud, who finished the race in fourth. The 282 laps led is an all-time Indy car record, breaking the previous mark set by Ryan Hunter-Reay when he led all 250 laps at The Milwaukee Mile in 2004.

“I’m just so elated that we were able to get that oval win,” said Newgarden, who became the seventh different winner in 10 Indy car races at Iowa and the seventh different winner in 10 Verizon IndyCar Series races this season. “We’ve been so close, finishing second here twice the last couple of years and second at other ovals, but this team, they got it done. They had an amazing car and made it easy on me.”

The Iowa Speedway bullring is known as one of the most physical tracks on the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule, but as the series made its 10th visit to the 0.894-mile oval, it celebrated a milestone for two of its ironmen. Team Penske's Helio Castroneves made his 321st career Indy car start, passing Al Unser for fourth all time, while Chip Ganassi Racing's Tony Kanaan tied Unser for fifth by making his 320th start.

Pagenaud won Team Penske’s 500th pole position in all forms of racing when he earned the Verizon P1 Award on Saturday. The driver of the No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevy led the field to the green flag today, but Newgarden quickly made the lead pass on the first lap and never looked back.

By Lap 100, Newgarden had lapped everyone but Pagenaud, but the battles remained tight in the top 10 as Scott Dixon (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet), Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 2 DeVilbiss Team Penske Chevrolet) and Kanaan (No. 10 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet) fought for fourth place.

The first caution of the race came when Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay's chances at a third straight win literally went up in smoke, suffering a mechanical failure on Lap 109. Hunter-Reay, the three-time Iowa winner finished 22nd in the No., 28 DHL Honda, his first finish outside the top two at Iowa Speedway since 2011.

“(The engine) just popped without warning, but that was the least of our problems today,” the 2012 Verizon IndyCar Series champ said. “That was the most out of shape I think we have ever been. I’m not really sure.”

Andretti Autosport saw its six-race Iowa win streak come to an end, with all four team cars struggling to find speed. Alexander Rossi (No. 98 Castrol Edge/Curb Honda) used pit strategy to come home sixth, with Carlos Munoz finishing 12th and Marco Andretti 14th.

A second caution came out on Lap 179, just as the third round of pit stops was beginning, when Montoya also suffered a mechanical failure. The Colombian was classified 20th, marking his third DNF in as many Indy car appearances at Iowa Speedway.

On Lap 246, rookie Max Chilton spun his No. 8 Gallagher Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet coming out of Turn 2, bringing out the third caution of the day and setting up final pit stops. The caution bit Kanaan, who pitted from the top 10 on Lap 245 and, like earlier this year in Phoenix, was buried in the field and went a lap down, ultimately finishing seventh.

Restarting the race on Lap 260, Newgarden led the field with just six cars on the lead lap, fighting off an initial challenge from Dixon. As Newgarden began to pull away in the final laps, Dixon, Pagenaud and Power fought hard for second. Power, winner of the last two races this season, overtook Pagenaud for third on Lap 294 and Dixon for second two laps later.

“It was a really good run – I think we had a very good long-run car,” said Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet who is third in the championship despite missing the season opener at St. Petersburg. “We had people come back to us at the end of the stint, so I was very happy that it went full green there at the end. That allowed us to get up to second – just stoked to finish well at Iowa.”

For Dixon, a third-place finish was a relief following a difficult start to the weekend.

“Considering how the weekend, started it was pretty dang good,” said the four-time and reigning series champion who won on the schedule’s other short oval at Phoenix in April. “We were in a hole as of (Saturday), so we had a wholesale change for the race today.

“It almost seemed like (Josef) had another set of wings on that car – huge credit to him and everybody at the team there. They did a helluva job.”

Championship leader Pagenaud lost slight ground to his competitors by finishing fourth, but did not seem too concerned.

“We just didn’t have enough pace at the end to contend for the win,” Pagenaud said. “So, fourth today, I think is a great day, honestly. I’m very pleased with second in Phoenix and fourth here. Our short oval program has improved massively compared to last year.”

The Verizon IndyCar Series heads north for its 11th race of the 2016 season at the Honda Indy Toronto. Practice begins July 15 on the streets of Exhibition Place, with qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET July 16 on NBCSN. The 85-lap race on July 17 airs live on CNBC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Pos	SP	Car	Driver	C/A/E/T	Lap	Laps Down	Time Down	Pit Stops	Elapsed Time	Avg Speed	Pts	Running/Reason Out
1	2	21	Newgarden, Josef	D/C/C/F	300	0	--.----	4	01:52:16.3613	143.330	53	Running
2	8	12	Power, Will	D/C/C/F	300	0	4.2828	4	01:52:20.6441	143.239	40	Running
3	10	9	Dixon, Scott	D/C/C/F	300	0	5.5085	4	01:52:21.8698	143.212	36	Running
4	1	22	Pagenaud, Simon	D/C/C/F	300	0	6.1827	4	01:52:22.5440	143.198	34	Running
5	9	7	Aleshin, Mikhail	D/H/H/F	300	0	7.0386	4	01:52:23.3999	143.180	30	Running
6	17	98	Rossi, Alexander (R)	D/H/H/F	299	1	-	4	01:52:17.7462	142.822	29	Running
7	6	10	Kanaan, Tony	D/C/C/F	299	1	-	4	01:52:24.1862	142.686	26	Running
8	16	11	Bourdais, Sebastien	D/C/C/F	299	1	-	5	01:52:25.9198	142.649	24	Running
9	22	5	Hinchcliffe, James	D/H/H/F	299	1	-	4	01:52:31.5162	142.531	22	Running
10	5	83	Kimball, Charlie	D/C/C/F	299	1	-	4	01:52:31.8056	142.525	20	Running
11	13	14	Sato, Takuma	D/H/H/F	298	2	-	4	01:52:18.9344	142.320	19	Running
12	15	26	Munoz, Carlos	D/H/H/F	298	2	-	5	01:52:19.8414	142.301	18	Running
13	3	3	Castroneves, Helio	D/C/C/F	298	2	-	4	01:52:27.6624	142.136	17	Running
14	19	27	Andretti, Marco	D/H/H/F	298	2	-	4	01:52:29.7522	142.092	16	Running
15	14	41	Hawksworth, Jack	D/H/H/F	298	2	-	4	01:52:30.9600	142.066	15	Running
16	12	15	Rahal, Graham	D/H/H/F	297	3	-	4	01:52:17.2826	141.877	14	Running
17	18	19	Chaves, Gabby	D/H/H/F	293	7	-	5	01:52:25.5470	139.795	13	Running
18	7	20	Carpenter, Ed	D/C/C/F	284	16	-	4	01:52:34.3399	135.324	12	Running
19	4	8	Chilton, Max (R)	D/C/C/F	274	26	-	4	01:52:34.8394	130.550	12	Running
20	11	2	Montoya, Juan Pablo	D/C/C/F	179	121	-	2	01:10:55.9281	135.363	10	Mechanical
21	21	18	Daly, Conor (R)	D/H/H/F	141	159	-	3	00:55:55.8203	135.226	9	Mechanical
22	20	28	Hunter-Reay, Ryan	D/H/H/F	105	195	-	1	00:34:22.7495	163.826	8	Mechanical

Lead Change Summary					Leader Summary
On Lap	Car	Leader		Car	Driver	Laps Led
1	21	Newgarden, Josef		21	Newgarden, Josef	282
50	22	Pagenaud, Simon		22	Pagenaud, Simon	11
59	8	Chilton, Max		98	Rossi, Alexander	4
61	98	Rossi, Alexander		8	Chilton, Max	2
65	21	Newgarden, Josef		9	Dixon, Scott	1
113	22	Pagenaud, Simon
114	21	Newgarden, Josef
182	22	Pagenaud, Simon
183	21	Newgarden, Josef
250	9	Dixon, Scott
251	21	Newgarden, Josef

Caution Summary

No Duration Total Reason for Caution 109 to 127 19 Mechanical: Car 28 in Turn2 179 to 187 9 Mechanical: Car 2 in Turn 1 246 to 259 14 Contact: Car 8 in Turn 2

Penalty Summary

Car Reason Lap Penalty

Lead Change Summary					Leader Summary
On Lap	Car	Leader		Car	Driver	Laps Led
1	21	Newgarden, Josef		21	Newgarden, Josef	282
50	22	Pagenaud, Simon		22	Pagenaud, Simon	11
59	8	Chilton, Max		98	Rossi, Alexander	4
61	98	Rossi, Alexander		8	Chilton, Max	2
65	21	Newgarden, Josef		9	Dixon, Scott	1
113	22	Pagenaud, Simon
114	21	Newgarden, Josef
182	22	Pagenaud, Simon
183	21	Newgarden, Josef
250	9	Dixon, Scott
251	21	Newgarden, Josef

Caution Summary

No Duration Total Reason for Caution 109 to 127 19 Mechanical: Car 28 in Turn2 179 to 187 9 Mechanical: Car 2 in Turn 1 246 to 259 14 Contact: Car 8 in Turn 2

Penalty Summary

Car Reason Lap Penalty

(C)hassis: D=Dallara | (A)erokit: C=Chevy, H=Honda | (E)ngine: C=Chevy, H=Honda | (T)ire: F=Firestone

INDYCAR Race Recap.

Keselowski takes fuel risk, but wins Sprint Cup race at Kentucky

SPARTA, KY -- Brad Keselowski on Saturday won the Quaker State 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway for his 4th win of the season, 3rd win at Kentucky, 2nd win in a row and 21st career win.

Keselowski ran out of fuel just after the start-finish line.

"We knew the fuel mileage," said Keselowski, who won for the fourth time this year, the 21st time in his career, and became the first driver to officially clinch a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. "We went out and we set a really fast pace there on that restart and were just using fuel, and then it became obvious that you were going to have to save fuel at the end, but I already used so much.

"It's a testament to our guys to have the fuel mileage that we did to be able to get back what I burnt early in the run and get the Miller Lite Ford in Victory Lane. Usually these repaves are kind of my Achilles heel, but to get a win here at Kentucky… I know it's been a good track for us in the past, but this isn't the same Kentucky, I can tell you that. 

"These cars were tough to drive today, but a good tough. This was a hard-fought battle, and I'm really proud of everybody on the 2 crew to get win number four and take that first place."

Carl Edwards finished second, followed by Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hit the wall twice early in the race and hit the wall hard, finished 40th. Next was Jimmie Johnson, who got loose and backed in to the wall, finishing 32nd, down 59 laps. 

Joey Logano, smacked the wall with the right rear but continued on, falling back many spots. Then had a tire go down from the damage and slammed the wall, ending his night and finishing 39th.

Four of the five Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidates were involved in wrecks. First Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott made contact on lap 87 with both backing into the wall. A few laps later, Brian Scott got loose and hit by Kyle Larson, causing Scott to go sideways, then Chris Buescher hit the No. 44 of Scott. The one rookie not involved was Jeffrey Earnhardt who finished a career best 28th, was the highest finishing rookie for the first time.

There were 16 lead changes among 9 drivers and a record tying 11 cautions for 53 yellow flag laps.

The average speed was 128.583 mph.

Kyle Busch wins XFINITY race at Kentucky

SPARTA, KY -- Kyle Busch won the Alsco 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Kentucky Speedway on Friday night. It is his 81st XFINITY Series win and fifth of the year. 

Austin Dillon finished second, followed by Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones, Darrell Wallace, Jr., Elliott Sadler, Ty Dillon, Ryan Blaney, Brennan Poole, and Brad Keselowski.

Busch pulled away to beat Dillon to the finish line by .455 of a second.

Busch started from the pole and put on a dominant performance, leading 185 of the 200 laps.

It was a race Erik Jones lost when he hit the wrong switch on his dashboard, killed the engine and slowed under caution late in the race.

"I think we had the fastest car here once we got out front," Jones lamented. "It's just hard to get back up to the front when you get back in traffic."

Busch was roughly a half-second ahead of Suarez and appeared to have the race in hand when caution flew on Lap 195 with smoke billowing from Mike Harmon's car.

"We always get the Kyle Busch cautions," Busch said. "Apparently, this time, it was true. There was some problems with another car smoking. You always have to make your money's worth, I guess. Always have to give the show to the fans and their money's worth.

There were 5 cautions for 22 laps and 11 lead changes among 6 leaders.

The average speed was 144.258 MPH.

Point leader Briscoe goes for two-in-a-row; Iowa Speedway next

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 8, 2016) - After capturing his first career victory a couple weeks ago at Winchester Speedway, current ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship leader Chase Briscoe is excited to get back to the track - the ABC Supply 150 presented by Casey's General Store is next at Iowa Speedway.

With the first free weekend in six weeks, Briscoe had the opportunity to enjoy his momentous win, spending a couple of days at the Cunningham Motorsports race shop in Mooresville, before going back home to Indiana to relive the winning moments with family and friends. Briscoe also celebrated the Fourth of July holiday with his sponsor Big Tine at their Rockville, Indiana headquarters.

"I went to a corporate function over the July 4 holiday at Big Tine," Briscoe said. "I had a really good time. They had over a thousand people there for their fireworks display. The President/CEO Mike Bassett made up about 500 t-shirts with the car and Big Tine. He was just giving them away and I was signing them. We had a lot of fun."

So much for holiday fun...it's time to get back to the business of racing.

Chase Briscoe and Chad Bryant at Winchester 2016“I am really looking forward getting back to what I love doing. I am hoping that the win in our last race will give us the boost that we need to continue what we started in the first half of the season and finish this season off strong. I am so excited to run at Iowa this weekend and go for two in a row.”

Briscoe will make just his 13th ARCA Racing Series start Saturday, July 9 in the ABC Supply 150 presented by Casey’s General Store at Iowa. In addition to his win, he has earned seven top-five finishes in his last 12 starts, finishing outside of the top-10 only once.

The No. 77 Cunningham team, led by two-time Cometic Crew Chief of the Year Chad Bryant, leads many of the special award categories, including SCOTT Rookie of the Year, Valvoline Lap Leader, R.E. Lightning Challenge, Fast Track Award and the Menards Pole presented by Ansell. Briscoe is five for five in pole awards on short tracks this season, going for his sixth consecutive at Iowa.

As Briscoe looks forward to his 10th ‘new’ track of the season, he added, "Hoping Iowa is like iRacing...that's as close as I've come to the place."

Briscoe is one of nine different ARCA winners in 2016 after 10 races.

No Repeat ARCA Winners at Iowa
In nine previous ARCA races at Iowa since the inaugural event in 2006, there have been no repeat winners. Steve Wallace won the first ARCA race at Iowa, and hometown hero Mason Mitchell won the most recent in 2015. Other ARCA winners at Iowa include Frank Kimmel (2007), Matt Hawkins (2008), Parker Kligerman (2009), Tom Hessert (2010), Ty Dillon (2011), Alex Bowman (2012), and Grant Enfinger (2013). Dillon is the only repeat Menards Pole winner at Iowa, having done it in 2010 and 2011.

ARCA Iowa Schedule/Media
Practice for the Iowa ARCA 150 is from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Saturday with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell following at 3:15. The Iowa ARCA 150 is live on FS2 at 8 p.m. local Central time. Live Timing and Scoring and live Chat will also be available at arcaracing.com.

Follow Cunningham Motorsports on Twitter @cunningham _race and Briscoe @ChaseBriscoe5.

ARCA Release.

Hessert returns to site of career-first win; local Iowa company to sponsor

CONCORD, N.C. (July 8, 2016) – After an idle Fourth of July weekend, Tom Hessert could not be more ready to get back to the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour, especially at Iowa Speedway.

Hessert, a five time winner in the ARCA Racing Series, earned his first career win at Iowa in 2010.

“It’s true what they say...you never forget your first victory,” said Hessert. “It’s always special to go back to Iowa and compete. Not only do I have good memories at this place, but the track really fits my style of driving. It's a unique short track...races like a superspeedway. Can't wait to get back this weekend.”

Hessert won't have to wait long; the ABC Supply 150 presented by Casey’s General Store is next, Saturday, July 9, live on FS2.Tom Hessert car shot Winchester 2016

After 10 of 20 events in the 2016 season, Hessert, fourth in the championship standings, will kick off the second half of the season driving the No. 25 Flexzilla® – Legacy Manufacturing Toyota for Venturini Motorsports.

Earlier in the season Venturini Motorsports and Legacy™ Manufacturing Company announced their strategic marketing partnership with core emphasis on promoting the company’s well-known Flexzilla® brand.

Legacy™ Manufacturing Company, with corporate headquarters in Marion, Iowa, is a manufacturer of high-quality, durable equipment for professional and domestic use. Legacy™ is the driving force behind the popular Flexzilla® brand of air and water hoses, extension cords and other products designed to make your work easier than ever. Leading edge technology and premium materials have established Flexzilla® as the industry leader.

No Repeat ARCA Winners at Iowa
In nine previous ARCA races at Iowa since the inaugural event in 2006, there have been no repeat winners. Steve Wallace won the first ARCA race at Iowa, and hometown hero Mason Mitchell won the most recent in 2015. Other ARCA winners at Iowa include Frank Kimmel (2007), Matt Hawkins (2008), Parker Kligerman (2009), Tom Hessert (2010), Ty Dillon (2011), Alex Bowman (2012), and Grant Enfinger (2013). Dillon is the only repeat Menards Pole winner at Iowa, having done it in 2010 and 2011.

ARCA Iowa Schedule/Media
Practice for the ABC Supply 150 presented by Casey's General Store is from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Saturday with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell following at 3:15. The ABC Supply 150 is live on FS2 at 8 p.m. local Central time. Live Timing and Scoring and live Chat will also be available at arcaracing.com.

Follow Tom Hessert on Social Media
Be sure to follow Tom Hessert on all social media platforms. You can find him on twitter at @TomHessert and Instagram @THessert.

ARCA Release.