NASCAR Cup Series veteran Michael McDowell is looking forward to his return to the Iowa Speedway next week. The 2021 Daytona 500 champion will be among those competing in the Iowa Corn 350, the first cup series race at the track. McDowell last raced at the Iowa Speedway in a Nationwide Series event back in 2014.

McDowell says he was not surprised when the Cup Series added a race at Iowa.

Racing at a new track is an adjustment and McDowell says practice sessions will be important next week.

Sunday nights Iowa Corn 350 and Saturday’s Xfinity race sold out in a matter of hours and McDowell says that will make for an outstanding atmosphere.

It is the first time the track will host the Cup Series but 19 drivers who could be in the field for the Iowa Corn 350 have taken the Checkered flag at Iowa Speedway.

McDowell is currently 24th in points as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 in Sonoma, California.