NASCAR Breaks Silence on the Potential Repave of Iowa Amidst Controversies

NASCAR communications chief Mike Forde responded to the demands of a repave at Iowa Speedway.

NASCAR Breaks Silence on the Potential Repave of Iowa Amidst Controversies

William Byron at Iowa Speedway (via Imagn Images)

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NASCAR raced at the Iowa Speedway last weekend. The race was full of action and provided fans with an exciting spectacle. However, the future of the track remains uncertain, with critics demanding a repavement of tarmac. Now, NASCAR’s communications chief Mike Forde has responded to speculation over the track’s future.

William Byron won the Cup race in Iowa on Sunday. Though, Brad Keselowski was not far behind, as the RFK veteran had won two stages. Nevertheless, fans were not disappointed with the close on-track racing as has become the norm in the Cup Series.

The sport is yet to release its calendar for the 2026 season. Mike Forde revealed that NASCAR will issue its schedule for the next season within the next three weeks. So far, he had no information about Iowa Speedway’s future in the calendar. Though, Forde mentioned that the track had only given positives to the Cup Series after last weekend’s race. He pointed out that he was not supposed to disclose any insider information to begin with.

TBD. As far as what we’re looking at for next year’s schedule, I think we’re probably three weeks away on when that schedule would drop. Haven’t heard anything one way or the other on Iowa except all positives. I don’t have any inside information. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to talk about it anyway.

Mike Forde said on Hauler Talk podcast

Mike Forde claimed that the easiest way for Iowa to stay on the calendar was for fans to show their support. NASCAR’s commercial interests decide the calendar. Thus, if fans were willing to fill the grandstands next year, there was no way that the sport would even think of removing the track.

They come out, and they show their love for Iowa, and they’re voting with their wallet on whether it should be on the schedule. I imagine the powers that be will take that into account.

Mike Forde added

Moreover, Forde addressed the concerns of a repave. The NASCAR chief insisted that the sport would first take the opinion of stakeholders as currently the view of such a move for the Iowa Speedway remains divided. For the track’s longevity, a repave would be a far better solution than some short-term fixes.

Then the next step would be on a repave. We would get with the industry on that as well and get their opinion. Some like the old surface, or whenever there is an old surface that has this question of do we need a repave or not…There’s some band-aids on that track that probably need to be the more permanent solution.

Mike Forde stated

William Byron demands repavement of Iowa Speedway

The Cup Series race winner was happy to make his way to Victory Lane. However, William Byron remained critical of the track surface, pointing out that a repave might be the ideal solution. The track is owned by NASCAR with the Xfinity Series racing in Iowa since 2011.

William Byron
William Byron (Via IMAGO)

The Hendrick Motorsports driver asserted that the track was aging, and with repavement needed at least on the straights. Though, Byron managed to make his way across the track on Sunday as part of a clever HMS fuel strategy.

I just kind of roll with it. But I think they should probably see it through now. The track is starting to age pretty quickly. It would probably be good if you repaved the top now, at least repave the straightaways. I’m not sure. It’s kind of like our strategy today; once you’ve committed to it, you’ve just got to see it through.

William Byron said, as quoted by On3.

Certainly, Iowa Speedway will remain a major talking point in NASCAR. It is likely that the sport will retain the track for next season considering the positive reaction from fans. However, without a repave, drivers might be reluctant to get back to the track. Thus, NASCAR could be at a crossroads over Iowa’s future.

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