NTT INDYCAR SERIES Returns to Iowa Speedway in Preparation for Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend
June 21, 2022 | By Penske Entertainment
For the first time since July of 2020, the stars and cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returned to Iowa Speedway Monday for a private team test featuring 19 cars from eight different teams. The day-long test under sunny skies and 90-degree temperatures provided good preparation for the conditions the competitors will face July 22-24 during Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend when Iowa Speedway hosts the only doubleheader weekend on the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.
Teams and drivers participating in Monday’s test included Team Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin, Will Power and Josef Newgarden; Dale Coyne Racing’s Takuma Sato and David Malukas; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing drivers Christian Lundgaard, Graham Rahal and Jack Harvey; Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist of Arrow McLaren SP; Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Marcus Ericsson, Scott Dixon, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Palou; Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud of Meyer Shank Racing; Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Callum Ilott and Kyle Kirkwood and Dalton Kellett representing AJ Foyt Racing.
Running without any on-track incidents throughout the test, the afternoon session alone featured 2,565 laps for more than 2,244 miles of running amongst all the drivers, who also completed simulated qualifying runs at the 7/8-of a mile Iowa Speedway.
“Awesome first day at Iowa Speedway for me. It’s the first time I’ve been here and to end somewhere near the top of time sheets is fantastic,” said Scott McLaughlin, driver of the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet who unofficially recorded one of the fastest times of the day. “Being here and seeing what Hy-Vee is putting into this event, this race weekend is going to be crazy, especially with all the concerts as well as the racing. I can’t wait to come back here next month. I think we’re going have three really fast cars at Team Penske so I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
Monday’s testing represented the first time NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars have driven at the “Fastest Short Track on the Planet” since the series’ 2020 doubleheader at Iowa Speedway.
On Wednesday of this week, the focus at Iowa Speedway will shift to the rising stars of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires as the top rung on the Road to Indy development ladder will host an open test for all of its competitors. Indy Lights has not raced at Iowa Speedway since 2018 but the series returns to the short oval in Newton, Iowa during Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend.
On July 7, Iowa Speedway will host another private NTT INDYCAR SERIES test session as Team Penske and Andretti Autosport will try and dial in their cars two weeks before the return of INDYCAR at Iowa.
Featuring the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 Presented by DoorDash, with concerts by country music superstars Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line on Saturday, July 23, followed by the Hy-Vee Salute To Farmers 300 Presented by Google with live performances from Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton on Sunday, July 24, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will deliver an incredible on the track and off the track experience for fans.
For tickets and more information on Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend visit https://www.hyveeindycarweekend.com/ or call 641-417-6007.