Sam Mayer backed up his second career NASCAR K&N Pro Series pole by putting his No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet in Victory Lane following the Casey’s General Store 150 at Iowa Speedway.
The young standout from Wisconsin led 139 of 150 laps to record his second victory of the year. In the process, Mayer assumed the lead in the championship standings over Bill McAnally Racing’s Derek Kraus. Kraus entered the annual combination event leading both the East and West championship races. Kraus recovered from an early spin to salvage a fourth-place finish.
“This was one of the ones [tracks] that I liked the most when I raced here last year, we really didn’t finish that well but this year was quite the opposite,” said Mayer. “Getting this win right here was just the start of what me and GMS can do. I feel like we’re going to have a lot more this year and hopefully we can go five-in-a-row.”
Hailie Deegan finished 12th after starting ninth.
This was the 17th NASCAR K&N Pro Series East / West combination race held at the Fastest Short Track on the Planet, and past winners include 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Cole Custer and last year’s winner Tyler Ankrum.
Next up for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East is Watkins Glen International on August 2. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will be in action at Evergreen Speedway on August 17.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 27. Fans should plan to arrive at Iowa Speedway early to avoid congestion. Parking lots open at 9:00 a.m. CT with plenty of pre-race entertainment on the schedule.
CHRISTOPHER BELL AND COLE CUSTER LEAD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES PRACTICE SESSIONS
Christopher Bell posted the fastest single lap in the first practice session for the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 with a speed of 129.646 mph.
He narrowly edged Tyler Reddick (129.220 mph) by .080 seconds.
Cole Custer was fastest in final NASCAR Xfinity Series practice after posting a lap of 129.972 mph. For the second consecutive practice, Reddick was second quick with a fast lap of 129.833 mph.
Bell and Cole Custer are just the second duo of drivers in series history to win five or more races each in the first 19 events of a season – a feat the series hasn’t seen in 35 years. The last time it happened was when Jack Ingram and Sam Ard both won seven races each in the first 19 races of the season in 1984.
With a win tomorrow night, Bell and Custer could join elite company. A trip to Casey’s General Store Victory Lane for either young star would make the victor one of only six drivers in series history who have won six or more races in the first 20 races of the season.
Added incentive for Bell … if he were to win again this weekend, Bell would become just the second driver in NASCAR Xfinity Series history to win three consecutive races at Iowa Speedway joining Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2011 sweep, 2012).
Qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 will begin at 11:05 a.m. CT on Saturday, July 27.
ANNUAL POST-RACE PARTY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH
Iowa Speedway prides itself on improving the fan experience. What started out as an Iowa Speedway original, rooted in fan love, the Post-Race Party on the Frontstretch has been replicated at other tracks around the country. After the checkered flag waves on the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250, Speedway staff will once again open the catchfence, allowing fans to stream onto the freshly raced track surface.
This year’s entertainment is courtesy of the Cody Hicks Band. Pork burgers courtesy of the Iowa Pork Producers will be plentiful, accompanied by cold drinks, giveaways and driver appearances will bring down the curtain on a thrilling 2019 race season at Iowa Speedway. A tradition born in Iowa – opening the catchfence for fans to party on the track – has become universally revered by everyone.
Iowa Speedway PR
