Iowa Speedway, the 0.8-mile oval designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, opened in 2006 to rave reviews and heightened anticipation of the primary reason for its existence – securing a Cup Series date for a Midwestern fan base desperate for more than a half century to celebrate a major-league race that embodies the region’s legendary passion for motorsports.

The first-ever Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway could have gone better for Denny Hamlin. It was a struggle all night for the NASCAR veteran. Even though it was a less-than-ideal result, Hamlin had good insight on what should be done to the Iowa track in the future.