Ever feel like the universe is playing a prank on you? One moment you are cruising and the next you’re in serious trouble. That’s exactly where Michael McDowell found himself at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Laps down, seemingly out of contention, his race looked like being a write-off. But then, something extraordinary happened.

McDowell’s journey at Ambetter Health 400 was a wild ride. He found himself, 6 laps down, with a huge deficit, with mechanical problems threatening to end his race. Not just once, the former Front Row driver became the lucky dog not once but six times, thanks to the aggressive action on the racetrack. As the yellow fever caught on, so did McDowell’s rise to the lead. There was a huge possibility that his race could’ve ended in a DNF but he ended the race in P13.

Now, the veteran driver wasn’t looking to set a record for catching so many lucky breaks. But, he’s now tied with Jamie McMurray’s record for getting six consecutive free passes in a NASCAR race. The DVP certainly delivered the good for the #71 team.

Michael McDowell’s Houdini Act at Atlanta Motor Speedway

McDowell’s race in the Spire Motorsports car #71 was a classic example of the American spirit, the tale of never giving up, combined with some magic, tireless effort, and a rule known as the DVP. Damaged Vehicle Policy commonly known as just DVP, has now become a crucial part of NASCAR. Initially introduced back in 2017, and recently updated in 2025, it sets guidelines for how much damage a car can sustain and still be allowed to continue racing. 

It’s a glimpse of hope, a straw for a drowning man. If a car is damaged on track, the pit crew has limited time to fix it and rejoin the race, but at the back of the field. It was the very rule that gave Michael McDowell a fighting chance. While the likes of Kyle Busch and Ty Dillon were fuming about how NASCAR exercised the DVP rule, it certainly worked out well for McDowell and the No. 71 team.

“I thought it was it was seven laps down, might have been six,” McDowell chuckled after the race, still probably a little in disbelief. “Unfortunately we had that mechanical failure…but the guys did a great job of fixing it…coming behind the garage, coming in the DVP area, and getting it fixed.” McDowell’s Spire Motorsports crew made an extended stop under the DVP to repair the Chevrolet no. 71’s power steering which saw McDowell down six laps from the leaders.

Caution periods slowed the race down 11 times, including 8 times for wrecks. And it’s then when the lady luck waved its magic wand, and then waved it again, and again. In fact, it waved it six times.

McDowell was the free-pass beneficiary in six consecutive caution periods during the second and third stages to get back into contention for the top 10 at the end, finishing 13th after starting 24th and bagging 24 points from the weekend. Six free passes – the ‘lucky dog’ in one race. That’s not lucky, that’s borderline supernatural. It tied the record for the number of free passes and also set a new record for the number of consecutive free passes, in a race that saw a winner who only led the race for 1 lap.

“Everything worked out perfectly for us because one lap give or take either time and we’re not getting that free pass,” he explained. “It went our way and so we’re thankful for that and we made the most of it out there at the end.” But it wasn’t just plain luck, in the end, McDowell’s skill and determination played a crucial role, he had to be ready to take every opportunity coming his way. Was it simply being in the right place at the right time or was there something more? 

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McDowell’s Hoping to Keep the Streak Going at COTA

One thing’s for sure the momentum gained from this by McDowell and his crew will fuel them for many races to come. Road-course racing is one of McDowell’s strong suits, one of his two Cup Series race wins came at Brikyard and since then he’s consistently improved at this style of racing. “[It] is a lot to look forward to next week. And you know we’re building momentum. That’s the biggest thing…right now we have momentum and that’s important especially when you’re building, and especially when you’re working,”

As NASCAR heads to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a track where McDowell hopes to keep the momentum rolling. In 2024 he had a runner-up finish at Sonoma and top 10 placings at the Chicago Street Race and Watkins Glen. But he has yet to churn out a solid result at COTA. This time around, he’s banking on the support from Chevy and Spire to continue this good momentum. 

“I feel good about it, haven’t driven the Chevrolet or the Spire set up on the road course. So I’m looking forward to that. They were really strong in the road courses last year, both Corey and Carson had great runs. COTA hasn’t been my strongest road course, but new configuration and like I said their set up was good. So lots to look forward to and we’re building momentum and that’s the biggest thing.”

Will his lucky dog run translate to a track that requires a completely different driving style? Will McDowell’s good results continue at COTA? Or will he need another helping hand of lady luck to succeed?