Weather Forecast for NASCAR’s 2026 Iowa Race Weekend

What’s Happening?

After a week off, NASCAR is back in the Midwest for a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts and Cup Series doubleheader at Iowa Speedway. So, whether you are going to be at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for the race weekend in Newton, Iowa?

• Iowa Speedway is the only track in Iowa to host a NASCAR Cup Series race. The 0.875-mile oval opened in 2006 and has seen several sell-out crowds since it re-joined the NASCAR National Series Schedule in 2024.
• Though the track is 20 years old, the NASCAR Cup Series did not race in Newton until 2024. Prior to that, the OAP Series was the established NASCAR series at the track, racing there from 2009 to 2019, and twice a season from 2011 to 2019.
• With just a few seasons on the schedule, Iowa may not have the best recent sample for bad weather, but its Cup Series debut weekend in 2024 had some on-again, off-again weather.

Weekend Weather Forecast

• Via the National Weather Service
• All Listed Times CT (Local)

Saturday, August 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series HyVee Perks 250 | 4:00 PM on The CW

Before the OAP Series Race (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 86°F at 3:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 5% Chance at 1:00 PM
• Wind: 8 to 10 MPH

During the OAP Series Race (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 86°F at 6:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 5% Chance
• Wind: 10 MPH

After the OAP Series Race (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 80°F at 8:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 4% Chance
• Wind: 9 to 10 MPH

Sunday, August 9: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol | 2:30 PM on USA

Before the Cup Series Race (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 88°F at 2:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 11% Chance from 10:00 AM to Noon
• Wind: 11 to 13 MPH

During the Cup Series Race (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 89°F at 3:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 6% Chance
• Wind: 11 to 13 MPH

After the Cup Series Race (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 88°F at 6:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 13% Chance at 7:00 PM
• Wind: 10 to 11 MPH

Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.