Ryan Blaney has mixed feelings about the imminent repaving project at Iowa Speedway.
Ryan Preece thinks it’s necessary. Christopher Bell applauds it.
On Monday, the speedway will embark on a $20-million renovation project that includes a complete repave of the racing surface.
The new asphalt will replace the hybrid surface that was partially repaved in the corners before the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race in 2024.
Blaney has enjoyed enormous success in the two events at Iowa. He won the debut in 2024 and finished fourth last year. His average running position for the two races is a series-best 3.9.
“I think the track, the way it is now, has a lot of character in it,” Blaney said. “…I think with the full repave, I hope they do a decent job with progressive banking the way it needs to be, where we can run up the track…
“I hope they bank up the third and fourth lanes, and it’ll be a heck of a race track if you’re not locked onto the bottom. Time will tell.”
Preece’s opinion is based on a first-hand inspection of the racing surface.
“Brad (Keselowski), Chris (Buescher) and I kind of did the track walk earlier, and you could see separation between some of the lanes,” Preece said. “So, I think it needs (a repave), unfortunately.
“I’m curious to see if they’re going to do anything different with banking, but yeah, it’s time.”
Bell believes the repaving has the potential to widen the track. The driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs racing Toyota won twice and scored two poles and two runner-up results at the track from 2017-2019.
“Iowa was my favorite track before this half-repave thing that we have right now,” Bell said. “Right now, you have two grooves, and it’s never going to get any more than two grooves. At least now, with the fresh repave, it’s going to have the opportunity to get a lot wider.”
