IndyCar Shortens NXT Race at Iowa Due to Tire Issues

IndyCar shortened Saturday’s NXT Series race at Iowa Speedway because of tire issues.

Teams reported blistering tires in practice Friday, leading to the race being shortened from 75 to 55 laps. Twenty-eight of the 55 laps were run under caution.

The race was won by Andretti Global driver Louis Foster. James Roe, his teammate, was second.

After tire issues in Friday practice, series officials, after consultation with Firestone officials, decided to shorten the race and to control tire wear with a planned caution after 15 laps. The modifications were made, according to a news release, to “ensure the most exciting and compelling event.” But the race went under caution two laps earlier than the planned competition yellow when Caio Collet and Myles Rowe tangled. The ensuing caution lasted from lap 13 to 38.

Roe led 49 laps, but Foster charged late to take the win.

The race lasted only 27 minutes.

Scott McLaughlin led Friday’s practice for the IndyCar Series with a speed of 185.891 mph. There were no reports of tire issues.

IndyCar Series races of 250 laps each are scheduled Saturday night (8 p.m. ET) and at 12:30 p.m ET Sunday at the.875-mile track.