“Still Bumpy”: Kyle Larson Sheds Light on Underlying Problems in NASCAR’s Revamp of Iowa Speedway

NASCAR has a bit of a notorious reputation when it comes to track repaving. Recently, Speedway Motorsports CEO, Marcus Smith, exchanged blows with Denny Hamlin on the same. Citing faulty maneuvers at Sonoma Raceway, Hamlin also predicted an ominous fate for North Wilkesboro Speedway which turned out to be true. Hence the higher-ups are exercising caution.

Ahead of the inaugural Cup race at Iowa Speedway, NASCAR called some drivers to the track. Kyle Larson was among the select few and got the opportunity to feel the revamped track. However, his verdict leaned towards the negative side, echoing his fellow driver’s sentiments as well.

Kyle Larson shakes his head at the repaved Iowa track

Recently, an image of the revamped Iowa Speedway circulated on social media. All four turns of the 0.875-mile track were partially repaved, and this half-hearted attempt surprised NASCAR fans. Ryan Blaney chimed in with his take, posting the hilarious horse meme, earning him the title, ‘memelord.’

However, banality aside, it seems that Kyle Larson feels the same way. After inclement weather washed out his ‘Double Duty’ plans last weekend, the #5 Chevy driver returned to a stock car for a Goodyear tire test at Iowa Speedway. Notably, Christopher Bell and Brad Keselowski turned laps with him. He spoke to the press post-test and emphasized how grip could increase after repaving the 7-8 mile oval’s corners. But Larson topped it off with doubt.

“With repaves, usually it’s got a lot of grip, so you see them taking the shortest distance…Once we get more cars here…there were only three of us, right, it’s been hard to move it up…Once we get the 40 cars here…I think it will move it up to more lanes. But it will still be difficult to pass when the pace is so fast. But we’ll see when we’ll get to race there.”

Christopher Bell also agreed with Larson, saying “it’s going to be harder to pass.” However, Brad Keselowski, the first Iowa NASCAR race winner, has a distinct opinion. He thinks taking care of the bumps in turns 1 and 2 should work for the Next-Gen car. 

Kyle Larson further shed light that despite the rework, the track continues to be bumpy in other places. “There were no bumps wherever the new pavement is. But the frontstretches were really bumpy. And a lot of the braking zone into 1 is new order pavements so it’s still really really bumpy. So yeah, there’s still going to be a lot of mistakes made in turn 1, I think, because of the bumps on entry. But once you get to the fresh pave, it’s pretty simple.”

These valuable insights would prove crucial to Larson’s colleagues before the Cup Series enters Iowa. Kyle Larson, apparently, knew the significance, as he dumped a late-model racing event for the test.

Larson chose NASCAR over late-model on a weekday

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Kyle Larson is known for his late-model racing stints. He hops in high-limit racing cars on weekdays before wielding a Cup car on the weekend. But this time, he decided to show up to a NASCAR tire test even though the ‘Double’ heartbreak is still fresh and gory. Additionally, Larson had to abandon a goldmine High Limit Racing event at Grandview Speedway.

Tuesday night’s Kubota High Limit Racing Midweek Money Series race had a grand prize. A stout field of 42 High Limit Racing Sprint Car drivers were set to battle for a $20,000 top prize, but Kyle Larson decided not to be a part of them. “Grandview is a great track for me and I really love running there,” Larson said. “I love racing as much as I can, but when your crew chief tells you, ‘Hey, I signed you up for a tire test at a track we’ve never been to before in the Cup Series,’ I need to be there.”

Kyle Larson’s passion for NASCAR is easily observable at times. Right now, he’s focused on another chance to bring glory to Hendrick Motorsports.