via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
While all NASCAR fans scream ‘next stop, Darlington!’ Chris Buescher is surely the one who is the most motivated of all. With 3 wins in the last 5 races, the number 17 of RFK Racing seems like the very reason for Ford’s resurgence. However, Saturday’s race at Daytona was not that great for every Ford. And that includes Michael McDowell, who not only had bad luck but was also snubbed by NASCAR.
Other than McDowell, one other driver who had a bad day at the office was Chase Elliott. This past weekend was the HMS driver’s last chance to make it to the playoffs. And considering his popularity, all eyes were on him. Yet Chase failed again to bag that win as he finished P4. But the driver who couldn’t even come that close to the win was Front Row Motorsports icon Michael McDowell, who arguably had an unfair weekend. In light of all this, veteran driver and team owner Denny Hamlin spilled the beans on how a certain decision made by NASCAR kept McDowell from unleashing his full fury.
NASCAR’s irrevocable decision that slowed Michael McDowell down
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In the most recent episode of his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, Denny Hamlin and co-host Jared Allen talked about the major highlights from Daytona. Amid this, McDowell’s sluggish performance also became a topic of discussion.
We all remember McDowell’s well-ironed victory at Indianapolis. Reminiscing the same, the owner of the 23XI Racing team found something unusual about him and his car this weekend. This was especially the case as his teammate, Riley Herbst of Front Row Motorsports, qualified for the 6th grid spot, while McDowell was found languishing dead last.
“I wonder…was that a Stewart-Haas car or a Front Row car?” said the number 11 JGR driver, talking about Herbst’s #36.
Surprised, Jared Allen muttered, “36 wasn’t a Front Row car?”
Denny laughed and said that these days you can put a number on anything. However, the conversation then shifted to Michael McDowell as Hamlin felt the #34 car lacked its usual speed.
Denny Hamlin revealed that he had talked to McDowell about this. Moments after he qualified for 39th, McDowell felt like there was something broken in his car. The team wanted to check it out, but NASCAR did not let them.
According to Denny, McDowell was sure they could prove something was not right and had said, “They (NASCAR) won’t let us look at it”. Telling this, Hamlin gulped his words partially and said, “Man, this is confusing… Didn’t really see McDowell up front like you normally did, so maybe his car did have some issues that made it slower. He usually is the guy that’s gonna be upfront,” he added.
Watch This Story: Heartbroken Chase Elliott Admits Defeat Hours Ahead of the Chicago Street Race
Despite starting last, Michael McDowell finished 13th and was strong leading the outside line. Coming to the subject that everyone was talking about. After the race, Mr. H had to be happy with just two of his cars in the playoffs this year. During a post-race interview with NASCAR, Chase Elliott threw light on the decisive moment where he felt like he had slugged off.
Despite having all the help, Chase Elliott stood defeated
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Chase Elliott has never missed any playoffs in his Cup career. But this year, he is going to. With a 4th place finish at Daytona, the Golden Boy of Hendrick Motorsports stayed trapped outside in the Bubble.
After the race, the reporter asked him, “What more did you need in those last laps, in terms of pushes to be able to go fight for the win?”
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Listening to the question, Chase Elliott felt like there was actually no reason for him to complain. The #9 Chevy star said, “I really liked where we were before the caution and honestly, after the restart there, we had the bottom lane that we wanted. I knew this 6 was gonna go with the 17 and I thought the 4 was gonna take the bottom and they did and we had all the help we could ask for”
Then what went wrong? Chase Elliott admitted that unlike Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski, he failed to use the draft from Kevin Harvick’s car. But being the champion that he is, Chase Elliott will not stay down and make the best of the remaining races as he said, “Looking forward to these next 10 and try to make a little noise on that side of things and just try to get ready for next year.”
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It would appear Chase Elliot is the picture of composure and fortitude in the midst of a hiccup in his otherwise perfect cup run. While not used to missing a spot in the playoffs, he focused on his pitfalls and everything he could’ve done to capitalize on his team’s strategy. His failure to make the most on the draft from Kevin Harvick’s car would prove crucial. Nevertheless, he is determined to make an impact and have his presence felt in the remaining races and these learnings are sure to make for an improved Chase Elliot.
