Michael McDowell appeared poised for victory during Sunday’s Chicago Street Race, dominating much of the first stage and leading the opening 31 laps of the 75-lap event. Driving the No. 71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, McDowell controlled the race early but was sidelined by a critical mechanical issue that dashed his chances of winning.
His throttle cable unexpectedly broke, forcing McDowell to spend 20 laps in the garage while his crew repaired the problem. This setback pushed him from the leading position to a disappointing 32nd place finish in a 37-car field, marking one of the most frustrating moments in the Phoenix native’s Cup career.
Reflecting on the failure, McDowell explained,
“I don’t know what caused it or how I 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 (with eventual winner Shane Van Gisbergen), no doubt. I felt like any time I could open a gap on SVG, I could.”
—Michael McDowell, Driver
He continued,
“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 (prior to a restart) and the throttle stuck wide-open.”
—Michael McDowell, Driver
“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.”
—Michael McDowell, Driver
Impressive Track Record Fuels McDowell’s Optimism Ahead of Sonoma
Despite the setback in Chicago, McDowell is looking ahead with optimism for the upcoming race at Sonoma Raceway. Known as a road course specialist, he has achieved consistent results at Sonoma over his 12 career starts. Although a victory there has eluded him so far, McDowell has secured two top-five finishes and three top-10s in his last three outings, including a third-place finish in 2022 and a runner-up spot behind Kyle Larson in 2021.
This strong recent performance at Sonoma adds weight to his chances of challenging Shane Van Gisbergen, who himself is aiming for a back-to-back win at the track. While this will be Van Gisbergen’s first NASCAR Cup start at Sonoma, he raced there once before in the Xfinity Series last year, winning from the pole position.
McDowell’s current NASCAR Cup wins total two: the 2021 Daytona 500 and the 2023 Indianapolis Grand Prix held on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, he is approaching Sonoma still seeking his first win at that venue and eager to break a 67-race winless streak, leveraging his recent strong finishes as motivation.
Playoff Pursuit Adds Urgency to Sonoma Race
Beyond personal achievement, McDowell carries significant pressure to win at Sonoma as a pathway to playoff qualification. Entering the California race 23rd in the standings and 31 points shy of the 16th-place spot needed for the NASCAR Cup playoffs, a victory would guarantee him a playoff berth, eliminating the uncertainty of relying on points accumulation in the remaining seven regular-season races.
He acknowledged his affinity for Sonoma and confidence in his prospects:
“I enjoy Sonoma, and it’s been good for us the last couple years.”
—Michael McDowell, Driver
“I think we are close (to a win).”
—Michael McDowell, Driver
If McDowell does not secure a triumph at Sonoma, he still has at least one more strong opportunity to make the playoffs by winning at Watkins Glen International, another road course event scheduled for August 10. His consistent road course performances suggest he will remain a factor in the playoff chase until the closing stretch of the regular season.
Sonoma Could Offer McDowell a Crucial Turning Point
Michael McDowell’s determination to return to form at Sonoma reflects his broader quest to end a frustrating winless run and secure his spot in the NASCAR postseason. With experience, recent track success, and the motivation of playoff implications, Sunday’s race in California’s wine country represents a vital crossroads for the driver and his Spire Motorsports team.
The stakes are high as McDowell aims to dethrone Shane Van Gisbergen and capitalize on his momentum, transforming setbacks from recent races into a career-defining victory and playoff ticket. The outcome at Sonoma will shape the trajectory of his season and his chances to compete for NASCAR’s championship title.