Iowa Corn Fuels Historic Race to the Finish Line

September 10, 2024

By Haley Banwart

A crowd of 40,000 Iowans and fellow race fans roared to life as engines fired at the Iowa Speedway on June 17. The 2024 Iowa Corn 350 marked the first time the NASCAR Cup Series was hosted in Newton, home of the world’s fastest short track surrounded by corn fields.

The 7/8-mile oval provided the perfect battleground for this high-stakes showdown. Featuring 10 degrees of banking in the frontstretch, four degrees in the backstretch and a progressive banking system ranging from 12 to 14 degrees in the turns, the challenging track has been a favorite among drivers since opening in 2006.

But this wasn’t just another race focused on speed and skill. It was a high-octane celebration where Iowa-grown corn took center stage, highlighting its pivotal role in fueling the NASCAR event and the nation.

 Photo credit: Iowa Corn

If You Grow It, They Will Race

Situated in the heart of the largest corn-producing state, the Iowa Speedway is surrounded by a sweeping landscape of bountiful cropland. Just as Field of Dreams brought Major League Baseball to Iowa’s iconic cornfields, the Iowa Corn 350 united the world of NASCAR to create another legendary moment in sports history.

For nearly two decades, race fans eagerly awaited the arrival of the NASCAR Cup Series at the Iowa Speedway. Prior to 2024, the track hosted annual NASCAR Xfinity Series events from 2011 to 2019 and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races from 2009 to 2019.

To mark this exciting new chapter in the track’s legacy, it was only fitting the NASCAR Cup Series debut was sponsored by Iowa Corn, which is comprised of the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB). Both organizations share a mission to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability.

According to Shannon Textor, Iowa Corn Vice President of Communications, the NASCAR partnership was a natural fit thanks to a shared connection to ethanol, a renewable biofuel made from corn. As the nation’s leader in corn and ethanol production, Iowa plays a crucial role in fueling NASCAR competitions, where all race cars run on ethanol.

“We were thrilled when NASCAR approached us to serve as the title sponsor for the inaugural Cup Series race in Newton,” says Textor. “The NASCAR community has a tremendous following, with dedicated fans who travel and are deeply engaged with the sport.”

“This presented an exciting opportunity for Iowa Corn to connect with a broader audience to showcase the benefits of choosing Unleaded 88, a 15% ethanol blended fuel, at the pump while highlighting corn’s many other uses in more than 4,000 everyday products,” she shares.  

Photo credit: Iowa Corn

Powered by Ethanol

Nearly 2.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350, propelling it to U.S. cable TV's most-watched sports program of the week. As the green flag dropped on race day, it was an ideal moment for Iowa Corn farmers to engage with an audience well-versed in automotive performance yet perhaps less familiar with the fuel that powers it.

What Makes Unleaded88 the #1 Fuel Choice?

From saving money at the pump to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ethanol offers many benefits. Here are four key reasons why this fuel alternative is a smart choice for your wallet, your engine and the planet.

Good for Your Wallet: Ethanol is a cost-effective option that helps reduce the price at the pump. By blending ethanol with gasoline, consumers can save money on fuel. Plus, when you fill up with ethanol, you support Iowa’s economy and corn farmers.

Good for the Environment: Ethanol is a renewable, low-carbon biofuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% compared to traditional petroleum gasoline, making it better for the environment.

Good for Your Engine: Ethanol is safe and effective for engines, providing high octane levels that improve engine performance. It's a clean-burning, reliable fuel that can be used in most vehicles without modification.

Good for More Than Just Fuel: In addition to fuel, ethanol processing yields a byproduct called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS are an excellent source of livestock feed rich in protein, fat, minerals and vitamins.

Photo credit: Iowa Corn

Pump It Up with Iowa Corn

Today, ethanol production is so efficient that it takes less energy to grow a corn crop and process it than the amount of energy in the ethanol itself. And its impact extends beyond the racetrack. Ethanol powers everyday roadways, fueling drivers nationwide with greener, more sustainable options.

“The Iowa Corn 350 was a chance to deliver meaningful messages that transcend different audiences through our Pump It Up campaign, an initiative aimed at helping consumers make more informed fuel choices,” says Textor. “A key campaign component focuses on educating consumers about what they’re filling up with at the pump. Unleaded88 is the same 15% ethanol fuel blend used to power NASCAR, so the partnership with NASCAR was a natural fit for Iowa Corn to help engage consumers about the right fuel for their vehicles.”

Chasing the Checkered Flag

From the pre-race festivities to the final lap, the Iowa Corn 350 was a weekend full of firsts that marked a milestone in Iowa’s racing history and left a lasting impression on NASCAR enthusiasts and casual race followers.

The event was a resounding success, setting a ticket sell-out record and drawing overwhelming feedback from fans nationwide. With 94% of broadcast viewers tuning in from out of state, the race provided Iowa Corn a unique opportunity to extend its reach beyond Iowa’s borders to spotlight the benefits of ethanol to a national audience.

But perhaps the most enduring memory of the Iowa Corn 350 will be the sense of community it fostered. The shared enthusiasm, the bonds formed on and off the track and the collective roar as the checkered flag waved truly made the event unforgettable. 

It was a moment where friends and strangers came together to celebrate a new chapter in the ongoing story of how Iowa corn farmers continue to fuel the future, one race at a time.

The NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350, powered by ethanol, will return to the Iowa Speedway on Sunday, August 3, 2025.