NEWTON, Iowa -- It’s what NASCAR fans have been waiting for all week in Iowa. History was made Sunday in Newton as the Iowa Speedway hosted its first-ever Cup race series in front of a sold-out crowd.
Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag in the inaugural Iowa Corn 350.
“Pretty cool to come here and figure it out through the weekend and work with our guys. Honestly, I didn’t think we were very good Friday and we got tons better just going to work and that is something to be proud of,” said Blaney.
But the race wasn't a washout, as Kyle Larson held the lead in the beginning, but Blaney took the lead to win the opening stage. Larson came back to win the second stage. But right at the beginning of the last stage Larson spun out, requiring him to head back to the garage.
Ryan Blainey post race interview:
For Blaney, the win was made even sweeter, as his mother is from Iowa, and he had dozens of friends and family members cheering him on in the crowd.
Blaney said, "I'm super lucky I got family like this... come [sic] out and support me all night and that is all you can ask for.”
Blaney has won at Iowa before, first in 2012 for the Truck Series and then 2015 for Xfinity, now rounding out the trifecta with a Cup win.
“It’s pretty neat, I mean it’s cool to win at the same track in three different series. This place is way different than what it was nine years ago when I ran here before," said Blaney.
Additionally, Blaney gets his first win of the season, securing his spot in the playoffs and cements himself in Iowa Speedway history.
It's a night NASCAR fans and Iowans will never forget, as the first Cup race here at the Iowa Speedway is officially in the books.