Michael McDowell showed strong pace at the Chicago Street Course on Sunday, leading early and presenting a real challenge for the win before a mechanical problem dashed his hopes. Despite starting from the outside of the front row and taking the lead from Shane van Gisbergen on the opening lap, McDowell’s race was cut short due to a throttle issue that forced him into the garage.
The Spire Motorsports Chevrolet driver, who was trying to break a two-year winless streak, not only won Stage 1 but led the most laps of the race with 31. However, the throttle cable stuck, forcing McDowell to relinquish the lead and lose significant time for repairs. Eventually, he returned to the track but finished 32nd, far behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen seized the moment and took the checkered flag.
How the Race Unfolded for McDowell and Van Gisbergen
McDowell maintained control for much of the first segment in the No. 71 DePaul Chevrolet, even while managing fuel strategy and tire wear, aiming for a one-stop strategy. His performance suggested he could have had a strong battle with van Gisbergen to the finish. Unfortunately, the throttle stuck wide open behind the pace car, leading to a broken cable that required pit lane repairs.
“The throttle cable just broke,” McDowell explained.
“I don’t know what caused it or how it got to that spot, but that’s what happened. I feel like we had control of the race. I think it would have been a battle, no doubt. I felt like any time I could open a gap on SVG, I could.”
We were just working on our strategy. We knew we were going to one-stop it, so I was taking care of the tires and doing all the things I could. I was behind the pace car and the throttle stuck wide-open. Luckily, I got to the switches fast enough before I ran into something, and then a cable broke after that. It’s just a shame. We had a great No. 71 DePaul Chevrolet. We’ve got some good momentum heading into Sonoma next weekend.
—Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Driver
Looking Ahead: Opportunity for Redemption at Sonoma
Despite the frustration of Sunday’s mechanical failure, McDowell and the Spire Motorsports team remain optimistic as NASCAR moves to the Sonoma road course next weekend. This track has previously been favorable for McDowell, who finished second there just one year ago, indicating potential for a renewed push toward ending his win drought.
Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen’s victory at Chicago adds to his momentum, further intensifying the competition as the season progresses. Other notable moments from the weekend included confrontations and dramatic overtakes involving drivers like Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, and Alex Bowman, highlighting the intensity of the NASCAR Cup series race at the challenging Chicago Street Course.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Michael McDowell ever won a race?
A. In 2021, McDowell achieved the largest win of his racing career by winning the Daytona 500 for the 63rd time. This victory in the famous race secured his debut in the Cup Series Playoffs, where he ended up in 16th place.
Q. Has Michael McDowell ever won a NASCAR race?
A. McDowell drove the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in a one-time race at Road America. He secured his first NASCAR victory there. McDowell was in the lead for the last 24 laps, which helped him win.
