What Is 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 was an IndyCar Series race held on July 12, 2008, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Scott Dixon won the 250-lap race, leading 178 laps, with an average speed of 143.2 mph.

Key Facts

The 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 took place on July 12, 2008, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.
Scott Dixon won the race, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with a Dallara-Honda.
The race consisted of 250 laps around a 0.875-mile oval, totaling 218.75 miles.
Dixon led 178 of the 250 laps, the most of any driver, securing his third win of the 2008 season.
The event drew approximately 35,000 spectators and was broadcast nationally on ABC.

Overview

The 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 was a pivotal race in the IndyCar Series season, held at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. It marked the third running of the event at the 0.875-mile paved oval, known for its short-track, high-banked design that promotes close racing and frequent passing.

As part of the 17-race 2008 IndyCar Series schedule, the race was officially titled the Iowa Corn Indy 250 due to sponsorship from the Iowa Corn Growers Association. The event attracted a strong field of drivers, including series leader Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, and Ryan Briscoe.

July 12, 2008: The race was held on this date, starting at approximately 3:00 PM Central Time, with 250 laps scheduled around the 0.875-mile oval.
Scott Dixon: Driving the No. 9 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, he started from the pole and led 178 laps, the most of any competitor.
Track length: Iowa Speedway is a 0.875-mile asphalt oval with 12-degree banking in the turns, contributing to average speeds of over 140 mph during the race.
Winner's time: Dixon completed the 250 laps in 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 42 seconds, averaging 143.2 mph under mostly dry conditions.
Attendance: Approximately 35,000 fans attended the race, a strong turnout for a regional short-track event in the IndyCar Series.

How It Works

The Iowa Corn Indy 250 followed standard IndyCar Series rules for oval-track racing, including qualifying procedures, pit strategies, and safety protocols. The race format emphasized fuel efficiency, tire management, and driver consistency over 250 laps.

Qualifying Format: A two-round system was used, with the first round setting positions 13–27 and the top 12 competing in a final shootout for pole position.
Race Distance: The event covered exactly 250 laps, totaling 218.75 miles, making it one of the shorter IndyCar races of the season.
Pit Stops: Teams typically made 4–5 pit stops, each lasting 12–15 seconds, to refuel and change tires under green-flag conditions.
Caution Flags: There were 6 caution periods during the race, totaling 32 laps under yellow, affecting strategy and driver positioning.
Top Finishers: Ryan Briscoe finished second, Dan Wheldon third, with Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti rounding out the top five.
TV Broadcast: The race was televised live on ABC, reaching a national audience and contributing to a 2.1 Nielsen rating for motorsports programming.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 compares to other major IndyCar races of the same season:

Race	Date	Laps	Track Type	Winner
Iowa Corn Indy 250	July 12, 2008	250	Oval (short track)	Scott Dixon
Indianapolis 500	May 25, 2008	200	Oval (superspeedway)	Scott Dixon (unofficial leader at stoppage; Hélio Castroneves officially won)
Texas Motor Speedway	June 7, 2008	228	Oval (intermediate)	Ryan Briscoe
Watkins Glen	August 10, 2008	60	Road course	Graham Rahal
Sonoma Raceway	August 24, 2008	85	Road course	Scott Dixon

This comparison highlights the diversity of the 2008 IndyCar Series schedule. While Iowa featured a short oval with high lap counts, other races varied in length and layout, demanding different strategies and skill sets from drivers and teams.

Why It Matters

The 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 was significant both for the championship standings and for showcasing short-track oval racing in the IndyCar Series. It helped solidify Iowa Speedway’s place in the series calendar and demonstrated the competitiveness of the Dallara-Honda package.

Championship Impact: Scott Dixon’s win moved him closer to the 2008 title, which he ultimately won by 41 points over Dixon.
Manufacturer Performance: Honda-powered cars took the top three positions, reinforcing their dominance on short ovals.
Fan Engagement: The close racing and frequent lead changes kept fans engaged, with 21 lead changes recorded during the event.
Regional Promotion: The Iowa Corn sponsorship highlighted agricultural outreach and boosted local economic impact through tourism.
Driver Strategy: The race emphasized fuel conservation, with several drivers stretching tanks to gain track position during pit cycles.
Media Exposure: ABC’s broadcast gave the event national visibility, helping grow the IndyCar Series audience during a transitional period in motorsports.

The 2008 Iowa Corn Indy 250 remains a notable example of how regional tracks and local sponsorships can contribute to the broader success of professional open-wheel racing in the United States.