NASCAR to implement new stage-break procedure beginning at Iowa Speedway

NASCAR will implement a new stage-break procedure for its national series beginning this weekend at Iowa Speedway, the sanctioning body announced Thursday. According to officials, the procedure will occur when a natural caution falls within the final 10 laps of the scheduled stage break. In that event, the stage will be deemed official at the time of caution. The traditional caution process will then serve as the stage break. RELATED: Iowa weekend schedule | Track 2027 schedule announcements The updated procedure comes after competition officials evaluated the length of caution periods and racing around stage ends. It will be applied for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Cup Series headlines the weekend at Iowa with Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 (3:30 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races Saturday at the 0.875-mile short track (5 p.m. ET, The CW, ESPN Unlimited, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).