While I have decided to omit the ARCA Menards Series race from Iowa from this week’s BoTR, the focus will instead go to the ARCA Menards Series West Series race in Portland, as well as the NOAP and Cup Series from Iowa.

With an off-weekend for the Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR hit Iowa Speedway as each series marches towards the returning Chase for the title in a matter of weeks. While the NOAP Series has competed at Iowa annually since 2009, the Cup Series only recently started hosting events there in 2024.

As for the ARCA Menards Series West, drivers tested themselves on the road course in Portland. Definitely the most exciting event of the weekend, Portland provided an impressive return to victory lane for a longtime West Series team who has re-established themselves in the West Series in 2026.

Next week, the Craftsman Truck Series and Cup Series race under the stars in Richmond

Portland 

PORTLAND 112

Winner: Mason Massey

Pole: Ethan Tovo

#19 Mason Massey and #16 Hailie Deegan

This is one of those rare times in this BoTR Series, a team as whole gets their flowers. While the ARCA West race in Portland was dominated by the Toyota backed Nitro Motorsports teammates of Sam Corry and Ethan Tovo, it was ultimately the Chevrolets of Bill McAnally Racing’s Mason Massey and Hailie Deegan that wrote the real story.

As the race came down to the final laps, the Nitro Motorsports teammates forgot they were on the same team, and quite literally knocked each other out of contention. This handed the lead to Kyle Steckly, who looked to have victory in hand until missing a corner last lap. This then handed the lead to BMR’s Mason Massey, who scored his second win of the season, while teammate Hailie Deegan was close behind in third.

You can watch the mess of a last lap on X / Twitter here 

THE STORY

For the Bill McAnally Racing teammates, 2026 has been as much of a learning curve for the drivers, as it has been a return to prominence in a Toyota-dominated season for BMR. Choosing to focus on their truck efforts the last few seasons, BMR returned to ARCA West in 2026 armed with a surprisingly fast team. For the driver of the #19 Chevrolet, Mason Massey raced to his second win in 2026 as he looks to win the title in his first career full-time season in any series. He currently sits second in points with only a handful of ARCA West races left this season.

Not being overshadowed by her teammate, a returning Hailie Deegan had one of the strongest performances of her stock car career, finishing an impressive third after having to race her way through the field on a few occasions. Deegan’s third place finish puts an exclamation point on her return season, as she sits 6th in points with now two top five finishes in eight races run so far. Portland was also her best finish since finishing 3rd in Bakersfield in 2019.

Iowa

HYVEE PERKS 250

Winner: Carson Kvapil

Pole: Ryan Sieg

#24 Harrison Burton

When Harrison Burton took the offer to drive Sam Hunt Racing’s #24 Toyota Supra in a full-time NOAP Series effort, expectations were high. Comparisons were made to when Burton first arrived in the NOAP Series in 2020, backed by the powerhouse combination of Toyota and Cup Series team Joe Gibbs Racing. During his JGR tenure, Burton finished 8th in the standings (2020 and 2021).

Following the loss of his Cup ride, and abruptly ending his Cup career for the time being, Burton joined the infamous AM Racing in 2025, with hope of not only rebuilding an already struggling team, but his career as well. 2025 would end with Burton and AM finishing 12th in the standings….not ideal. Burton left the now shuttered AM team, and joined Sam Hunt’s team in 2026….and results have been……anyways. This is how we get to 9th in Iowa.

THE STORY

As mentioned above, Burton joined SHR to drive their #24 Toyota in a full slate of NOAP races…and Burton’s Toyota return meant hopes were high. Instead, what has unfolded has been somewhat of a nightmare season (yes even following the AM Racing debacle).

The #24 team’s season has been one of bad luck, and general lack of speed most weeks…leaving Burton and crew scratching their heads (the 21.7 average finish). As the summer has worn on, results have started to surface for a breather. Iowa was the most recent of these, where Burton finished 9th (he qualified 16th). For comparison, this matches Burton’s best 2026 finish now, having also collected a 9th in San Diego. While the 2026 slate has been rough on the the SHR #24 crew, recent performances offer a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there a salvageable season after all.

#28 Kyle Sieg

Where to begin with Kyle Sieg’s and RSS Racing in general’s season. Once an up and coming Ford team with the #39 and #28 family-owned cars, RSS Racing made the decision to re-join the Chevrolet camp in 2026. Last fielding their own Chevrolet’s in 2020, the 2026 switch also came with a Haas Factory Team alliance (which following the yellow bricks further leads to Hendrick Motorsports). Results were an expectation out of the gate…instead RSS has lost step a bit in 2026. The team’s anchor #39 with brother Ryan sits 15th in points thus far, while brother Kyle sits even further back in 25th.

THE STORY

Originally, brother Ryan putting the #39 on the pole should have been the story, however that went away when Ryan Sieg was caught up in the lap 252 of 260 wreck, relegating the #39 to 33rd place from the pole. That now meant that brother Kyle’s #28 Chevrolet led the RSS charge.

Also a shoutout to this wacky scheme…thank you Goliath Games for coming on board (and giving me an excuse to post this).

Photo Credit: Jayski and RSS Racing

 

While finishing just shy of the top ten, Kyle Sieg brought his #28 home in 12th (he started 21st). This has to almost feel like a win for the 28 crew, with bad luck and rough weekends keeping Kyle Sieg mid pack most weeks. Results have recently started to improve however, with finishes of 8th and 12th in two of the last three races. The #28 has traditionally been the team’s second car, but has shown flashes of speed as summer comes to a close.

Iowa 

IOWA CORN 350 powered by ETHANOL

Winner: Ty Gibbs

Pole: Ryan Blaney

#21 Josh Berry

When Josh Berry joined the Wood Brothers team in 2025, the expectations of performance were perhaps unfairly placed on Berry with the Wood Bros. #21 Ford. While the Wood Brothers have been in the sport since it’s inception really, the #21 Ford has essentially been a satellite Penske Racing team the last several seasons. Surprising many, Berry would take the familiar 21 to victory lane in 2025.

Fast forward to 2026, and you almost have to wonder what has happened. Seemingly bitten by the bad luck bug all season, Berry’s finishes have clearly slipped in the rankings. Currently sitting out of the top 25 in the standings, Berry has already been informed he will not be back with the Wood Bros. in 2027. Currently still searching for a seat somewhere, Berry has had his best runs of the season the last two races (he finished 7th in Indy last race).

THE STORY:

Berry now finds himself searching for a seat anywhere, which made Iowa almost an audition of sorts. Despite winning in 2025, Berry has become a victim of the current Cup climate where money talks more then results. Could have fooled me in Iowa, as Berry looked as impressive as ever in the #21. Qualifying 13th, Berry placed the famous #21 Ford amongst the leaders throughout the race, and collected his first top five of the season in 4th. 

Photo Credit: Jayski and Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The story more lies not with the finish, but what exists within it. A season long struggle has begun to turn around as summer comes to a close. 7th in Indy, and now 4th in Iowa show that the short track veteran can still drive. As Berry continues to search for something, anything in 2027 with nothing concrete yet, a returning Dodge with Kaulig Racing in 2027 should be something all parties should consider.

#16 A.J. Allmendinger

A Cup Series veteran of some 505 starts, A.J. Allmendinger and his Kaulig Racing team have had probably one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory. With Kaulig ushering in the Dodge/RAM brand in trucks, longtime manufacturer Chevrolet cut their Cup Series support of the Kaulig team in 2026, for obvious reasons. This however did not stop Allmendinger and his Kaulig team from staying competitive this season. While performance did drop slightly with no support in 2026, Iowa was a clear sign the #16 Chevrolet can still be a threat.

THE STORY

In a season of almost self discovery on the #16 team, Allmendinger and crew chief Trent Owens put together one of the best cars in the field for Iowa. Relying strictly on the teams own engineering, skill, and equipment Allmendinger placed his Chevrolet 25th on the grid. As the race wore on, it became clear that the #16 was fast, methodically working it’s way through the field in a relatively short race. Running with the lead pack by race’s end, Allmendinger would go on to finish 8th.

Considering the car was an in-house built car, it becomes clear why Dodge and Kaulig Racing have linked up for the big Cup Series return…imagine what some manufacturer support could do. While nothing official has been announced, 2027 still seems likely for a Dodge return…Allmendinger and veteran two-car Kaulig team could be the perfect way to re-enter the sport. As mentioned above, Josh Berry could also be an excellent choice for the second car, if it is indeed available. Time will tell as 2026 has the checkered flag in the distance.