“I don’t see why not”: Chase Elliott gives his vote to keep Iowa on NASCAR schedule in future

Chase Elliott is sold on the idea of having the Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway again in 2025. Iowa Speedway checked all the right boxes for entertainment, earning the backing of both fans and drivers, which might be just what it needs to secure a spot on the 2025 NASCAR Premier Series schedule.

Initially, many of the sport's top drivers were cautious on Saturday, unsure if the Iowa Corn 350 would deliver the same thrill after parts of the track were resurfaced. The renovation eliminated some of the usual racing lanes, dampening the track's long-standing reputation for intense, door-to-door racing and slick passing maneuvers. However, owing to challenges like tire issues and frequent lead changes, the event managed to impress Chase Elliott and others.

Chase Elliott, among others, endorsed Iowa Speedway's inclusion in the 2025 schedule, signaling a successful adaptation and an exciting future for the race. During the post-race interview, when Chase Elliott was asked if he thinks Iowa deserves to be back in 2025, he said:

"I don’t see why not. I thought it was really solid and overall had a great crowd. I know it doesn't seem as many people as... a lot of places that we go. But sure it does look good and nobody watches my home realizes it," via Front Stretch [2:28-2:53]

Even Ryan Blaney, who took home the trophy at the Corn 350, also agreed with Chase Elliott's positive sentiments.

Ryan Blaney agrees with Chase Elliott's thoughts about returning to Iowa in 2025

Initially skeptical about how the racing would turn out Sunday night after the track underwent a partial redesign, Ryan Blaney led 201 of the 350 laps and was thrilled with how the race unfolded across three lanes. He endorsed Chase Elliott's opinion on returning to Iowa next year.

“The excitement level is through the roof for a Midwestern race fan. That’s healthy. You want to go to tracks that have a healthy fan base. This place definitely has that. So yes, I would like to see us back here again next year and for many more years,” Blaney remarked, according to quotes from desmoinesregister.com.

Christopher Bell also praised Iowa as a fantastic racing venue but suggested that a complete repaving might have enhanced the race even further.

"I say it time and time again: If we had run on the old pavement, it would have been a great race. [...] they should definitely go ahead and repave the rest of the corners, if not the whole track,” as per desmoinesregister.com.

However, he did not dismiss the idea of returning to Iowa, stating that if the track undergoes repavement sooner, in the off-season, it would dry better and improve the quality of the races when they return.