Blaney wins Iowa, earns Playoff berth/ Larson holds P1 in rankings despite 34th place finish

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16 June 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

NEWTON, IOWA — Sunday’s inaugural Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway was exactly what the defending NASCAR Cup Champion Ryan Blaney needed to earn his ticket into the Playoffs. Blaney qualified P2 and held track position in the top 5 most of the day. It was the call by crew chief Jonathan Hassler‘s for a two-tire stop at the final caution that set Blaney up to led the final 88 laps and hold off Willaim Byron for the win.

Ryan Blaney, driver of the №12 Advance Auto Parts Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway. (Image Credit: James Gilbert, Getty Images)
Ryan Blaney leading a pack of cars at Iowa Speedway. (Image Credit: Alejandro Alvarez_NASCAR Digital Media)

The victory was Blaney‘s first of the season and the 11th of his career.

Streak Established:
Blaney now has won at Iowa Speedway in all three NASCAR national series, having triumphed in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2012 and the Xfinity Series in 2015.

Blaney led four times for 201 of 350 laps on a track that was repaved in the bottom two lanes in the corners.

“What a cool way to win here. This place means a lot to me and means a lot to my mom (Lisa, from Chariton, Iowa),” said Blaney, who was leading June 2 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway outside St. Louis before running out of fuel on the white-flag lap.

“We had a lot of people here tonight cheering us on, so they willed us to that one. Overall, I really appreciate the whole (№12 team). I mean, our car was really fast all night and we got a little bit better through the night, and two tires was a good call there.

“I didn‘t know how well I was going to hold on. I started to struggle a little bit at the end but had enough to hang on. I‘m super proud of the effort.”

Sell Out at Iowa Speedway (Image Credit: Alejandro Alvarez_NASCAR Digital Media)

LARSON HOLDS LEAD GFT RANKINGS

Go Full Throttle Top 25 NASCAR AI Driver Rankings following the Iowa Corn 350 on June 16, 2024 at Iowa Raceway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Box Scores after Iowa

Go Full Throttle NASCAR BOX SCORES following the Iowa Corn 350 on June 16, 2024 at Iowa Raceway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

After 17 Races …
Manufactures Box Score:
Chevrolet = 8
Toyota = 6
Ford = 3

Team Box Score:
Hendrick Motorsports = 7

Driver Box Score:
Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin are tied with 3 wins each

PLAYOFF PICTURE

GFT AI NASCAR FANTASY LIVE RACE PREDICTION MODELS

The GFT AI prediction models continue tuning and machine learning updates for the 2nd half of the season. The “asset allocation” algorithm helped our prediction pick Blaney this week and we finished with 191 points and remain in the top 15% of all players (4,636).

UP NEXT:

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
USA TODAY 301
SUNDAY, JUN. 23–2:30 PM ET

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Bob Francis - Go Full Throttle Racing News

Go Full Throttle reporters and editors bring you news & commentary on NASCAR, F1, IndyCar, and World of Outlaws. Member: National Motorsports Press Association