For the primary time since 2020, NASCAR will compete on the historic 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after having spent the previous three seasons working on the highway course configuration.
McDowell was final yr’s race winner, and his spectacular victory locked him and his No. 34 Entrance Row Motorsports Ford crew into the playoffs simply the second time in his profession. He out-dueled Chase Elliott down the stretch to realize the win because the race ended on a grueling 77-lap inexperienced flag run.
“It’s cool to return there as a result of we received final yr and there will probably be banners there with us in Victory Lane. That’s cool. It will be enjoyable,” he mentioned. “I do know folks received’t imagine me after I say this, however I’m. I want we had been nonetheless racing on the highway course or had a doubleheader.
“I imagine we must be racing on the oval at Indy as nicely. Simply its historical past, and it’s simply completely different. The texture is completely different. It’s no completely different than the Indy 500 versus the Indy Grand Prix when the Indy Automotive guys run on the highway course. It’s nonetheless a cool race and nonetheless a cool weekend, nevertheless it’s not the Indy 500.”
Michael McDowell, Entrance Row Motorsports, Horizon Passion Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Photos
Don’t get McDowell fallacious. He appreciates the historical past of IMS as a lot as anybody – he’s a winner on the observe in any case.
He additionally has loads of expertise on the oval, having made 12 profession Cup begins on the observe with a finest end of seventh in 2020.
“There’s one thing actually particular about going to Indy – it’s virtually exhausting to elucidate. The observe has a lot historical past and so many feelings related to it, it’s a spot the place you actually need to win,” McDowell, 39, mentioned.
“On the finish of the day, loads of the time you’re battling the observe itself. It may be troublesome to cross as a result of the corners are so tight, and you may’t actually run nicely in a pack. Observe place and restarts would be the key to run.”
How will IMS race with the Subsequent Gen automotive?
McDowell can also be curious to see if the Subsequent Gen automotive – which has by no means been used on the Indy oval – lives as much as its status of manufacturing thrilling racing on intermediate and high-speed huge oval tracks.
Lackluster racing was a standard criticism earlier than NASCAR converted to the highway course three years in the past.
“I’ve been within the sport a very long time, so I’ve loads of seat time at Indy. Another guys do, however loads of the blokes don’t,” he mentioned. “I take a look at that as a possibility, and I’ve pushed loads of completely different packages there from low downforce to excessive downforce, no drag to loads of drag, a thousand horsepower to 500 horsepower.
“I really feel like I’ve skilled quite a bit there, and I’m wanting ahead to getting the Subsequent Gen automotive on the Indy oval and see what it could actually do.”
McDowell’s crew chief, Travis Peterson agrees.
“Being again on the oval may have its personal set of challenges in comparison with the highway course. It’s a tricky place to cross and observe place and technique will probably be key,” he mentioned.
“Michael is without doubt one of the few Cup drivers with expertise on the oval, so we’ll have gameplan. We simply must capitalize on the chance.”
