Is another Daytona 500 victory in store for Michael McDowell in the 2024 Cup Series season? The probability of the underdog driver rising into the elite consortium of drivers seems to win more than one Daytona 500 trophy to intensify, especially after the commencement of the qualifiers of the Daytona 500. While Team Penske’s 2x Cup Series champion Joey Logano clinched his first Daytona 500 pole position, Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell qualified second for the Great American Race.

Qualifying second for the Crown Jewel race is in itself a gratifying experience. However, missing the pole position by a whisker stings to the core. Although McDowell tried to flaunt a smile on his favorable position for the grand showdown, he did not shy away from stating his disgruntlement on losing the pole position to his Ford counterpart, Joey Logano, in the post-qualifying interview.

Front Row Motorsports driver states his disappointment in losing the pole position to Joey Logano

There is no denying the fact that 2023 bore testament to the rise of the underdog drivers. Whether it was Ricky Stenhouse Jr winning the Great American Race or Chris Buescher asserting his championship-winning potential. However, among this handful of longshot drivers, it was Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell, who stole the show. The driver earned his second career Cup Series victory at the coveted track of Brickyard.

Although the hopes of clinching a Cup Series were short-lived for the #34 Ford driver in the past season, the driver in the 2024 season hopes to replicate a similar success story. Remaining relentless in his pursuit of earning the championship, McDowell qualified second after losing to Joey Logano by a minuscule of a second. While the Team Penske driver turned a lap of 181.947 mph, the FRM driver clocked it at 181.686 mph. Owing to this, McDowell did not feel repugnance of losing to the 2x Cup Series Champion. When asked about losing out to Logano, the FRM driver bluntly stated, “What a t*rd.” However, the driver was more than elated about his qualifying results.

In the post-qualifying interview, the driver stated, “I am thrilled for the front row. It would have been more fun to have the pole and to get my first career pole in the Cup Series, but honestly, it’s such a cool accomplishment for our team that it doesn’t feel that disappointing to not get the pole. The other side of it too which I didn’t realize I should have paid more attention but they are like you got to go the Victory Lane.”

Smitten by earning a trophy and being able to park in the victory lane for the most awaited race of the season, the 2021 Daytona 500 winner also expressed:

“What do you mean by go to victory lane, like they bring the front row in there you even get a trophy? That’s pretty cool because normally in our sport it’s only the winner that gets a trophy. So it was neat to see that and makes it sting a little less right at least you got something to show for it but like I said it’s I am not disappointed. I mean it would have been special and it would have been cooler but I am very proud of everybody at Front Row Row Motorsports and what they were able to do and how fast the car was.”

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Meanwhile, pole sitter Joey Logano had some words to share too as he gears for his front row start, having clinched his first ever pole position at the Daytona 500.

Joey Logano unravels his elation after notching his first Daytona 500 pole position

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This is not only the first pole position for Logano but also for Team Penske. Speaking on this long-awaited achievement, Logano in media availability stated, “Anytime you walk into this area we’re standing here in Victory Lane, I don’t care if it’s qualifying or the Duel or the 500 it’s always special.”

“This is about the team. The driver doesn’t really do a whole bunch in qualifying here. I can’t take much credit today, so these guys did a tremendous job giving me a really fast Mustang. A couple Fords on the front row is something pretty special seeing those Mustangs up front here. It’s a pretty exciting start to Speedweek and hopefully tomorrow night we have a good one and we’ll be in the same spot.”

With the rest of the grid soon to be decided, Daytona 500 will be here in the blink of an eye. After an impressive qualifying and a first for Logano and Team Penske, it will be interesting to see what Logano makes of it. And let’s not forget McDowell who will be gunning for his second Daytona 500 victory.

Read More: 2024 Daytona 500 Qualifying: Watch Joey Logano’s Full Throttle Pole Winning Lap, Edging Past Michael Mcdowell