Blaney Wins Knockout Qualifying for P1 at Iowa

Ryan Blaney (photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NEWTON, Iowa – NASCAR fans are set to enjoy the culmination of “Wide-Opening Weekend” festivities at Iowa Speedway as nearly 70 degree temperatures are forecast for Sunday’s Get to Know Newton 250 presented by Sherwin-Williams NASCAR Nationwide Series race.Perfect weather is on tap for tomorrow’s race when Chase Elliott will look to extend his one point advantage over Elliott Sadler in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings. The 18-year-old JR Motorsports driver has been dominant so far this season, taking two checkered flags and a top-10 result in seven of nine races.

But Elliott is far from the only impressive NASCAR Nationwide Series driver this year. The top five features young drivers like Elliott, Trevor Bayne and Ty Dillon but has plenty of savvy veterans like Sadler and Regan Smith.

Starting Lineup

Nine drivers eclipsed the 135 mile per hour barrier at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” Saturday during qualifying for the Get to Know Newton 250 presented by Sherwin-Williams.

Ryan Blaney and his No. 22 Team Penske Ford took advantage of a clean track in the final minutes of knock-out qualifying to post a lap of 23.148 seconds, 136.081 mph. to win the 21 Means 21 Pole Award for tomorrow’s much-anticipated event. This is his first pole position start in 21 NASCAR Nationwide Series races and his best start at Iowa Speedway.

Also starting on the front row, Sam Hornish and his No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota posted his second top-10 start of 2014 and fifth in six races at Iowa Speedway.

Starting third, Michael McDowell and his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota posted his sixth top-10 start at Iowa Speedway.

Regan Smith and his No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet will start fourth with Dylan Kwasniewski, the fastest qualifying rookie, starting fifth in the No. 42 Up & Up Chevrolet.