Road courses challenge many NASCAR drivers with their demanding left and right turns, distinguishing true competitors from the rest. Michael McDowell of Spire Motorsports has demonstrated impressive skill on these technical tracks, yet he acknowledges that one driver currently outshines everyone else.
As NASCAR has recently visited multiple road courses, Shane van Gisbergen, driving the No. 88 Red Bull Toyota, has shown remarkable dominance. McDowell, despite a solid performance himself, admits he is still chasing the unique abilities that van Gisbergen displays at these events.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Superior Performance on Road Courses
Following his fourth-place finish at Sonoma Raceway, McDowell explained to Frontstretch what distinguishes van Gisbergen on road courses. He observed that his own race at Sonoma had challenges, especially during qualifying, which affected his starting position.
Qualifying hurt us a lot, not starting near the front, but we were able to get up and kind of manage to get into the top 10.
—Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports driver
Despite setbacks, McDowell benefited from timely cautions that allowed fresh tires, bolstering his confidence in a top-five finish. Nevertheless, he recognized that while his No. 71 Chevrolet had strong speed, it was insufficient to contend for the victory.
When asked about van Gisbergen’s edge after running behind the No. 88 car, McDowell shared his insights.
Insights into What Makes Shane van Gisbergen Exceptional
McDowell initially joked about van Gisbergen’s advantage, stating,
Well, at the time he had tires.
—Michael McDowell
More seriously, he pointed out the Kiwi driver’s unmatched pace and comprehensive race management skills.
He’s got a lot of pace, and he’s able to control the race. He’s executing the restarts and pit road well. He’s doing all the things with his outright pace that you need to do to keep the lead and keep the track position.
—Michael McDowell
He continued by praising van Gisbergen for raising the competitive standard in the series, motivating all drivers to improve their performances.
He’s [SVG] made everybody step up their game and looking forward to continuing to try to beat him.
—Michael McDowell
Race Dynamics Demonstrate Different Levels of Competition
The Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway painted a clear picture of two drivers performing on distinct levels. McDowell began the race 15th but fell back to 23rd in Stage 1 due to strategic errors. Still, his No. 71 car held solid speed, enabling him to recover to 13th in the second stage.
In a strong display during the final stage, McDowell briefly led the race for three laps before van Gisbergen passed him on lap 90. McDowell’s fourth-place finish marked his best result so far this season, while van Gisbergen secured victory lane for the third time in 2024 after leading 97 laps.
The Significance of van Gisbergen’s Impact on NASCAR Road Courses
Michael McDowell’s reflections reveal how Shane van Gisbergen has redefined what it takes to succeed on NASCAR’s road courses, combining raw speed with exceptional race strategy. This heightened level of competition is likely to push other drivers to elevate their skills in upcoming races.
As the season progresses, McDowell and others will be keen to challenge van Gisbergen’s dominance, making the evolving battles on road courses a key storyline to watch in NASCAR.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Michael McDowell religious?
A. McDowell holds deep Christian beliefs, which means he isn’t flawless but is forgiven for his errors in a challenging sport where contact is often debated.
