Stenhouse looking for Nationwide sweep at Iowa Speedway

NEWTON - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. isn't sure what it takes to sweep events at a track, but he intends to do his best to find out.

By claiming his first NASCAR Nationwide Series win at Iowa Speedway in May, Stenhouse has the opportunity to achieve it. He enters as one of the favorites to visit victory lane after the U.S. Cellular 250 Saturday, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Stenhouse, the current Nationwide points leader, is optimistic for another strong showing. The 23-year-old race car driver admits it would be a noteworthy feat. 

“I feel like we could sweep here,” Stenhouse said. “I think that would be a huge accomplishment to do that for myself and would be a pretty good statement for our race team.”

A previous win doesn't provide an advantage or create a larger target on his back. The Roush Fenway Racing team will have the same objective this weekend as any other at any other track, and that's to come away with a win. Something Stenhouse hasn't been able to duplicate since his last appearance here.

“Obviously you have to enjoy it, but in this sport you have to go on to the next race,” Stenhouse said. “You're only as good as your last.”

The bar immediately ascended higher than before following the Nationwide checkered flag. Despite disappointment in not adding to his title total, Stenhouse leads Reed Sorsenon by three points in the season standings and owns a 24-point advantage on third-place Elliott Sadler. He has earned two poles, seven top-10 and five top-5 finishes, including two runner-up performances since the victory.

“After you get that first win, you expect to win a lot more,” Stenhouse said. “We haven't done that yet, so we've been disappointed, but at the same time we've been running consistently in the top five and that's what we have to do to win this championship.

“I couldn't think of a better place to win our first win. I'm glad that we're back here now.”

Stenhouse started eighth and led 41 laps in the previous Nationwide event at Iowa Speedway, battling Carl Edwards the final 100 laps. Sorenson almost led twice as long (77 laps), but fell back before placing fourth. He could eliminate any need for a broom by Stenhouse.

“I think we had a good car last time,” Sorenson said. “Take what we had on that car, apply it to this one and make it a little bit better through practice.”

Des Moines native Michael Annett, who is 10th in season points with five top-10 finishes including a career-best sixth at Daytona, would like to throw a monkey wrench in Stenhouse's plans for another victory.

“Getting a win here would be a dream come true,” Annett said.

In May, 17 lead changes occurred between seven drivers. Stenhouse came away with the first win by a Nationwide Series regular since Justin Allgaier won in March 2010. He comes to Iowa on a roll, placing fourth or better the last three races, including a third at the Kroger 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis leading 189 of 204 laps.

After the first practice session, Stenhouse posted the fastest time 23.914 seconds (131.722 miles per hour). Cedar Rapids 18-year-old Joey Gase, who is making his Nationwide debut with Go Green Racing in a car owned by Jack Roush, was 30th after the first practice with a speed of 126.904 mph.

“We're running on pretty good momentum,” said Stenhouse, whose first pole came at Iowa Speedway in 2009. “We ran good here last time.

“We really think we can get another win here.”