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 operating on the street course configuration.
McDowell was final yr’s race winner, and his spectacular victory locked him and his No. 34 Entrance Row Motorsports Ford workforce 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 gained final yr and there can be banners there with us in Victory Lane. That’s cool. It’ll be enjoyable,” he stated. “I do know folks gained’t imagine me once I say this, however I’m. I want we have been nonetheless racing on the street course or had a doubleheader.
“I imagine we needs to be racing on the oval at Indy as effectively. 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 Automobile guys run on the street 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 Interest Ford Mustang
Picture by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Don’t get McDowell mistaken. He appreciates the historical past of IMS as a lot as anybody – he’s a winner on the monitor in spite of everything.
He additionally has loads of expertise on the oval, having made 12 profession Cup begins on the monitor with a greatest end of seventh in 2020.
“There’s one thing actually particular about going to Indy – it’s virtually exhausting to clarify. The monitor has a lot historical past and so many feelings related to it, it’s a spot the place you actually wish to win,” McDowell, 39, stated.
“On the finish of the day, plenty of the time you’re battling the monitor itself. It may be troublesome to move as a result of the corners are so tight, and you may’t actually run effectively in a pack. Observe place and restarts would be the key to an excellent run.”
How will IMS race with the Subsequent Gen automobile?
McDowell can be curious to see if the Subsequent Gen automobile – which has by no means been used on the Indy oval – lives as much as its fame of manufacturing thrilling racing on intermediate and high-speed huge oval tracks.
Lackluster racing was a typical criticism earlier than NASCAR converted to the street course three years in the past.
“I’ve been within the sport a very long time, so I’ve plenty of seat time at Indy. Another guys do, however plenty of the blokes don’t,” he stated. “I take a look at that as a possibility, and I’ve pushed plenty of completely different packages there from low downforce to excessive downforce, no drag to plenty of drag, a thousand horsepower to 500 horsepower.
“I really feel like I’ve skilled quite a bit there, and I’m trying ahead to getting the Subsequent Gen automobile on the Indy oval and see what it will possibly do.”
McDowell’s crew chief, Travis Peterson agrees.
“Being again on the oval may have its personal set of challenges in comparison with the street course. It’s a troublesome place to move and monitor place and technique can be key,” he stated.
“Michael is among the few Cup drivers with expertise on the oval, so we’ll have an excellent gameplan. We simply must capitalize on the chance.”
