DES MOINES, Iowa — Twenty drivers made their way to Iowa Speedway and hit the track Monday ahead of next month's Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend.
The event will run from July 22 through July 24, making it the only double-header weekend on the NTT INDYCAR calendar this year.
Saturday will feature the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250, presented by DoorDash. Sunday will feature the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300, presented by Google.
The event has become not only a fan favorite, but a favorite among some of the drivers.
"As soon as I went out today, I was like 'This is the best oval we go to, apart from Indy obviously, the event. But as far as racing goes, not a better place," said Will Power, a driver for Team Penske.
Driver Graham Rahal from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing feels similarly, especially since racing won't be all that's happening this weekend.
"Of course, this upcoming race is a whole different level with all the concerts and everything going on," Rahal said. "It's gonna blow everybody out of the water, and probably every other race of the year, aside from the [Indy] 500, out of the water. So, we're excited for that."
The race was last held in 2020 with a lot of restrictions, so organizers and drivers alike are happy to be back, restriction-free.
In addition to the races, there will be food trucks and concerts at the speedway.
"For the fans that are here, they're going to be treated to some great racing with the NTT INDYCAR series, as well as Indy Lights, the young up-and-coming stars," said spokesperson Merrill Cain. "But they're also going to have a world-class concert experience all weekend long."
The concert lineup includes artists such as Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.
To promote the event, INDYCAR racers Jack Harvey and Josef Newgarden will be downtown at 11:30 a.m. today, June 21, driving down 13th and Grand Ave.
For ticket information, visit www.iowaspeedway.com.
Watch full interviews with INDYCAR drivers