US Cellular 250 Tag

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer It all made sense for NASCAR NEXT Class of 2018-19 member Ryan Vargas to make his Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway. JD Motorsports with Gary Keller announced Wednesday that the 18-year-old Californian will make his national touring debut in the U.S. Cellular 250 July 27, piloting the No. 15 Cranio Care Bears Chevrolet Camaro. Last year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series combo race, Vargas, who ran for the East championship, finished seventh in Max Siegel’s Rev Racing team. Vargas commented it was his bestRead More

By Brian Eberly, Contributing Writer NEWTON, Iowa — The NASCAR XFINITY Series typically delivers great story lines every time they roll in to the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway and Saturday’s US Cellular 250 was no exception. Ross Chastain earned a fourth-place result for JD Motorsports and tied the best finish of his XFINITY Series career in his 125th start. Chastain qualified in the 18th position, right in line with his season average, and picked up a few positions during the 60 laps that comprised the first stage. But while pitting underRead More

By Robert Gray, NASCAR Wire Service NEWTON, Iowa — How long had it been since a non-Monster Energy Cup regular triumphed in three straight Xfinity Series races? Even NASCAR star-turned-NBC Sports Network commentator Dale Earnhardt, Jr., didn’t seem to know the answer when asked on-air — and he was the most recent driver to accomplish the feat in 1999. Until Saturday at Iowa Speedway. Christopher Bell somehow steered clear of a spate of potential disasters within the final 15 laps of the mostly-green U.S. Cellular 250, wheeling his No. 20 RuudRead More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer Despite a race-altering spin, Chase Briscoe still managed to score a top-10 finish at Iowa Speedway. The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver struggled throughout the US Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway, giving the No. 60 car it’s 14th incident this season. Briscoe’s race changing spin occurred with 11 laps to go as his No. 60 Ford Mustang spun in front of race leader Christopher Bell. After crossing over a patch on the track, the Ford Mustang broke loose, sending up a plume of smoke on the frontstretch.Read More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer NASCAR Pinty’s Series regular Pete Shepherd III will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway. Shepherd will drive the No. 55 National Exhaust / Connell Construction / driven4communications Toyota Camry for JP Motorsports. Shepherd last competed at Iowa Speedway in 2006 in the USAC Silver Crown Series. Saturday’s US Cellular 250 will also be his first start in the top three levels of NASCAR since the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Shepherd’s best finish was a 15thatRead More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer It’s the 19th race of the season and three full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars have combined to score six victories. The Xfinity Series returns to Iowa Speedway for the US Cellular 250. No Cup drivers, new faces in different places, and stage racing are just some of the storylines heading into the weekend. Coverage for the US Cellular 250 is scheduled to start Saturday at 5:20 p.m. ET. Iowa has been on the schedule since the 2009 season and has hosted the 19th race of the season sinceRead More

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer  Joe Gibbs Racing is beginning to complete their Xfinity Series drivers’ lineup as they add Kyle Benjamin to the fold. Benjamin will drive the JGR No. 18 Toyota Camry at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 24, and Iowa Speedway on July 28. At Atlanta, he will carry the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant sponsorship. Benjamin competed in five races last year for JGR. He qualified an impressive second in his debut at Richmond Raceway. Benjamin went on to score two pole positions at Pocono Raceway andRead More