NASCAR takeaways: Michael McDowell outlasts Chase Elliott at Indy for playoff spot

Rick


INDIANAPOLIS — Michael McDowell with a Entrance Row Motorsports automotive outran probably the most best possible road-course racers from probably the most best possible groups within the NASCAR industry as he vaulted himself into the playoffs by way of profitable the Cup Sequence race Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway street direction.

McDowell indisputably has all the time been a motive force to look at on street classes however his dominating efficiency in eminent 54 of the 82 laps and outlasting Hendrick Motorsports motive force Chase Elliott to the end used to be a seminal while within the crew historical past.

“For a team like us at Front Row Motorsports to go out there, take the lead, keep the lead, execute all day, lead a lot of laps, just shows the strength of our team and where we’re at,” McDowell stated.

“And I’m just so proud. It’s just a really cool, humbling moment. … It’s such a grind, such a hard deal to win a Cup race. And to do it like we did today. I’m just really proud of everybody at Front Row.”

The victory used to be the second one for McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 winner. It used to be the fourth within the 19-year historical past of Entrance Row Motorsports, which had gained a rain-shortened race at Pocono and two superspeedway occasions, the place the character of the races form it imaginable for extra groups to win.

The truth that they beat the larger groups and a motive force in Elliott, who has gained seven road-course races in his profession, used to be a observation that they are able to win a race immediately up with out the good thing about hail, pit technique or the superspeedway aerodynamic draft.

“It’s definitely a huge accomplishment, and it’s going to take a while for that part of it to sink in,” stated McDowell group important Travis Peterson. “I don’t know that we even consider it like that. We simply assume, ‘What are we able to do to turn into the most efficient we will be?’ And this time it labored. 

Michael McDowell reflects on his second career win

Michael McDowell reflects on his second career win

“Clearly Chase is stunning, and I feel Michael might be regarded as probably the most best possible street racers within the industry. He simply hasn’t all the time had the most efficient alternatives.”

Takeaways from McDowell’s victory, where four of the drivers in the top-5 needed a win to clinch a spot in the playoffs — McDowell, Elliott, third-place Daniel Suarez and fifth-place Alex Bowman (Tyler Reddick was fourth):

Huge Win For McDowell

McDowell entered Sunday’s race three points behind the current playoff cutoff, so he relished the victory that clinched him an automatic spot in the playoffs.

“We all know we’re no longer moving to travel to each and every racetrack and win,” McDowell said. “We all know that. We all know the place we’re at, however we will tenth at nearly each and every oval and we will win at superspeedways and street classes.

“And if we keep building on this, we’re going to be not just in the playoffs. We’ll advance. Are we going to be a Championship 4 team [vying for the title at the season finale]? I don’t know. But I bet you we’ll piss some people off in that first round.”

Michael McDowell earns the checkered flag in Indy

Michael McDowell earns the checkered flag in Indy

McDowell led the overall 30 laps with Elliott, the 2020 Cup champion, seeking to run him indisposed.

“I knew we had the car to beat once we got past the halfway point, I just had to manage it and not make any mistakes,” McDowell stated.

Elliott, Suarez Come Up Shorten

Elliott simply couldn’t get to McDowell over the ones ultimate 30 laps and left one spot decrease of seeking to form the playoffs in a 12 months the place he ignored seven races.

“I’m sure I could have done something different, but I was definitely trying as hard as I could try so just need to do a better job,” Elliott stated. “I just need to be a little better. … [McDowell] did a great job and didn’t make any mistakes”

Chase Elliott talks about Michael McDowell’s blank racing

Chase Elliott talks about Michael McDowell's clean racing

McDowell’s win way at maximum 3 drivers will form the playoffs on issues. Kevin Harvick has a 145-point edge at the cushion, Brad Keselowski has a 143-point edge and nearest Bubba Wallace is at the breaking point at 28 issues forward of Daniel Suarez.

Ty Gibbs (-49), Elliott and Bowman (-80) have nearly incorrect shot to form it on issues. That made it a irritating future for Suarez, who completed 3rd, most likely partly on account of a sluggish pit forbid.

“It was a good day — not a great day,” Suarez stated. “We were a little bit behind on adjustments in the first half of the race, and then by the end we got better. But unfortunately, we lost some time to the first two guys [with the slow stop].

“However you already know that’s a part of racing. … We win as a crew and we lose as a crew, so we’re no longer going to indicate arms right here. We’re moving to travel again house, analyze the whole thing and are available again more potent.”

Daniel Suárez on the outcome of the race in Indianapolis

Daniel Suárez on the outcome of the race in Indianapolis

Global Drivers Be informed

Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealander who won the inaugural Chicago street course race, finished 10th in his second career Cup start.

The race featured drivers from seven countries (including the United States). Mexico’s Suarez was third, then van Gisbergen 10th, Australia’s Brodie Kostecki was 22nd in his debut, Germany’s Mike Rockenfeller was 24th, England’s Jenson Button was 28th and Japan’s Kamul Kobayashi was 33rd in his debut.

“Just right and unholy — clearly you will have prime expectancies I am getting nearest Chicago, nevertheless it used to be superior racing with the ones guys — Kyle [Larson] and Christopher [Bell],” van Gisbergen said. ‘We had an awesome battle back and forth and they’re the same guys I was racing with at Chicago, just a few more spots back.

“I had a explode. … It used to be cool to be part of so confidently can come to do extra.”

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including the past 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass, and sign up for the FOX Sports NASCAR Newsletter with Bob Pockrass.

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