The NTT IndyCar Series made a triumphant return to Iowa Speedway for its doubleheader weekend from July 12-13. Despite lackluster racing last year and the exit of a major promoter in the form of Hy-Vee, most fans would say the event was a success if judged by the racing product alone.
Unfortunately, we cannot go only by the racing on the track when judging an event. That point is demonstrated by the fact that attendance at the doubleheader dropped over 50% from last year, according to the most generous estimates. To assess whether Iowa’s IndyCar date is dead in the water or can still be salvaged for 2026, Alex Gintz, Wyatt Watson and Tom Blackburn break down the three pillars that made the event successful in the past and take stock of their current states as they look back on what may have been Iowa’s final appearance in the series.
“The Pit Straight” is Frontstretch‘s open-wheel racing podcast, available during the racing season weekly on Tuesdays on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and right here on the web.
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Alex is the IndyCar Content Director at Frontstretch, having initially joined as an entry-level contributor in 2021. He also serves as Managing Director of The Asia Cable, a publication focused on the international affairs and politics of the Asia-Pacific region which he co-founded in 2023. With previous experience in China, Japan and Poland, Alex is particularly passionate about the international realm of motorsport and the politics that make the wheels turn - literally - behind the scenes.