IndyCar: Iowa isn’t the only thing returning this weekend
By Asher Fair
IndyCar is set to bring back a qualifying format that hasn’t been used since 2020 when it returns to Iowa Speedway for the first time since the same.
IndyCar is set to return to Iowa Speedway for the first time since 2020 this weekend, and the track is scheduled to host a doubleheader, just like it did in 2020 when COVID-19-related restrictions caused many other tracks to surrender their race dates.
Iowa Speedway hosted America’s top open-wheel racing series each year from 2007 to 2020, but it was left off the schedule last year.
It has returned in 2022 in a big way, with the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 set to take place on Saturday afternoon and the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 set to take place on Sunday afternoon.
The former is scheduled to be a 250-lap race around the four-turn, 0.894-mile (1.439-kilometer) oval in Newton, Iowa, and the latter is scheduled to be a 300-lap race.
Another thing returning this weekend? IndyCar’s unique doubleheader qualifying format.
On oval tracks other than Indianapolis Motor Speedway, each driver makes a two-lap qualifying attempt, and the average speed is what is used to set the starting lineup.
Each driver is indeed set to make a two-lap qualifying attempt this weekend, but the average speed isn’t what counts.
Lap one speeds are used to set the starting lineup for the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250, and lap two speeds are used to set the starting lineup for the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300.
This qualifying format was last utilized at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway back in August 2020. It was debuted at Iowa Speedway in July 2020, and it was slated to be used again at Texas Motor Speedway in May 2021, but rain washed out the doubleheader qualifying session.
Next. Top 25 IndyCar drivers of all-time. dark
The Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 is set to be broadcast live on NBC from Iowa Speedway beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 23, and the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 is set to be broadcast live beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 24. Be sure to begin a free trial of FuboTV now if you haven’t yet done so!