PREMA Racing travels west to the Iowa Speedway for two 275-lap races on the short, seven eighths of a mile, oval in the only NTT INDYCAR Series doubleheader weekend of the year.
Known as “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” due to its high-banked turns and fast lap times, Iowa Speedway features variable banking that drives akin to a superspeedway. With lap times often falling under 18 seconds, the track is demanding both physically and mentally on drivers.
Drivers will complete two consecutively timed laps in Qualifying, with Lap 1 determining the starting position for Race 1 on Saturday, while the second lap will decide the grid for Sunday’s contest.
PREMA Racing tested at the track at the end of June and, although weather delayed on-track action, it allowed the team to get up to speed with the oval and gain some knowledge of what to expect this coming weekend.
Callum Ilott’s best finish at the track is 11th, meanwhile Robert Shwartzman will be looking to further build out his oval racing experience following strong runs earlier in the year.
Piers Phillips - CEO, PREMA Racing INDYCAR
"Iowa Speedway is an intense track and there is no room for error. The team will have to make split-second decisions across both races which will prove crucial for strategy. Short ovals bring a different kind of challenge, and we had a favourable result at the previous oval track, so having that positive mindset will help us as we look to replicate the strong performances. Testing here last month has also set us up nicely with some data gathered already, particularly as there is only one practice session and a very short qualifying before we go racing."