NEWTON, Iowa — Despite the gloomy weather on Tuesday, NASCAR Cup Series drivers were able to get some laps in at the Iowa Speedway.

Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, and Chase Briscoe were at the speedway for the Goodyear Tire Test ahead of the Iowa Corn 350 in August. The test helps Goodyear collect data to decide the types of tires needed to perform the best on the track.

And while conditions on Tuesday were far from what they’ll be in August, drivers were still eager to hit the pavement.

“I feel like the things that we kinda learned so far are what tires not to bring back and race here, as we found one that just really, really wasn’t conducive or comfortable to drive as a driver,” said NASCAR Cup Series Driver Kyle Busch.

Last year, the Iowa Speedway underwent a partial repave of the track’s four turns, with Cup drivers last year saying that the change added some additional challenges to the race. On Tuesday, drivers echoed those concerns during the tire test.

“It’s kind of wild how much the color has changed since we were here last time. It was like jet black, and now it’s like you almost don’t even know it was repaved. But I would say that the grip levels are still fairly similar,” said NASCAR Cup Series Driver Austin Cindric.

“It’s really tough when you come to, especially a fresh repave, because getting the rubber laid down is part of the process, and today it was one of those things where it was kind of challenging. You get here and it’s super slick, it’s almost like we’re driving on ice,” said NASCAR Cup Series Driver Chase Briscoe.

Despite the repave, each driver stated how they are excited to see the Cup Series return to the Iowa Speedway on August 3.

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