Hunter-Reay Takes Top Spot In IZOD IndyCar Iowa Corn Indy 250
Ryan Hunter-Reay celebrates his win at the Iowa Corn 250 on Saturday (Ken Allsup/Oskaloosa News)
Newton, Iowa – A hot, sunny practice and qualifying day that had Dario Franchitti starting on the pole was the opposite of race day, with more the threat of rain hanging over the race, and one dark cloud hanging over Franchitti after his charmed run to the pole.
Franchitti’s day went up in smoke in a bizarre twist on the parade lap when the engine that rocketed him to his 3rd Indianapolis 500 win failed, never getting to see the green flag at Iowa. It was the first time in years that Franchitti failed to finish two races in a row.
Helio Castroneves moved into the first spot, and lead the race twice, being out front the most for a total of 133 laps. James Hinchcliffe took the lead from Castroneves on lap 52, leading the way until EJ Viso and Will Power tangled together in turn 2 bringing out the second caution of the night.
Castroneves regained control of the top spot after the round of pit stops and would hold onto that lead until lap 154.
The caution flag flew for the third time when JR Hildebrand touched the wall coming out of turn 4, coasted the length of the front stretch and came to rest near turn 1.
Eventual winner Hunter-Reay got his first taste of the lead on lap 155, only holding it until lap 156. He then lost it to Scott Dixon who also lead the race twice.
Rookie Josef Newgarden and Ryan Briscoe tangled up in turn 2 on lap 179, leading to an extended yellow that lasted until lap 194.
On lap 197, the yellow was once again in the air for the single car spin of James Hinchcliffe who had been dominate in the early stages of the race.
Dixon once again picked up the lead on lap 182 and was able to hold onto that lead until lap 237 when, eventual winner, Hunter-Reay took over the lead for his second and final time. Hunter-Reay took the checked flag and yellow flag for the win, after a caution flew on lap 248 for rookie Katherine Legge.
Hunter-Reay’s teammate Marco Andretti finished in the second spot, with Tony Kanaan finishing out the top 3.
The next scheduled race at the Iowa Speedway is July 13 and 14. It features the Prairie Meadows 200 ARCA Series Race on July 13 with the NASCAR Camping World Trucks rumbling their way onto the speedway the next day when The Iowa Speedway hosts American Ethanol 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Many more images from the weekend are available HERE.
