NASCAR’s Possible Exit from Iowa Speedway Could Pave the Way for IndyCar’s Return
Rumors are swirling in the racing community that the NASCAR Cup Series may abandon Iowa Speedway starting with the 2026 season. While nothing has been confirmed, several industry insiders have suggested that the track’s place on the Cup calendar is far from guaranteed. If these whispers prove true, it could spell the end of NASCAR’s premier event in the Hawkeye State—and potentially open the door for a long-overdue revival of open-wheel racing at the venue.
Iowa Speedway, located in Newton, has been a unique fixture in American motorsports since its opening in 2006. Designed with the DNA of a short track but the speed of a superspeedway, it’s been home to both stock car and open-wheel events over the years. For NASCAR fans, its Cup Series date marked a major milestone, as the small-town oval finally shared the stage with some of the biggest circuits in the sport.
But the tides in motorsport scheduling can shift quickly. If NASCAR’s top division exits, IndyCar could be in prime position to reclaim a spot at Iowa as the marquee event for the track. The NTT IndyCar Series has a long history here, with some of its most competitive short-oval races taking place on the 0.875-mile track. In fact, many longtime fans still consider IndyCar’s early years at Iowa to be among the best racing the circuit has ever produced.
From a fan perspective, this could be a golden opportunity. NASCAR Cup’s potential departure shouldn’t be seen as a death sentence for the speedway, but rather a chance to bring back the high-intensity, wheel-to-wheel action that IndyCar delivers in spades. Open-wheel racing on short ovals is a rare and thrilling sight—one that could reenergize the local fanbase and attract a new wave of spectators.
If these rumors pan out, the message to Iowa race fans should be clear: it’s time to rally behind IndyCar. The NASCAR Cup era at Iowa Speedway may be ending, but that doesn’t mean the track’s best days are behind it. With the right promotion, IndyCar could once again make Iowa one of the most exciting stops on its schedule.
For now, we wait for official word from NASCAR, but one thing is certain—the future of Iowa Speedway is at a crossroads. Whether it’s the end of one chapter or the start of another will depend on how both the series and the fans respond.
