Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Michael McDowell wins Verizon 200 at Indy, secures spot in NASCAR Playoffs

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 8/13/23

The story coming in was all about the international drivers, but Michael McDowell dominated on Sunday to win the Verizon 200 at Indy. It isn’t the oval, but a NASCAR win at IMS is a big deal. McDowell now has a win in a race that he dominated. He’s also got a spot in the playoffs.

This is officially a career-best season for Michael McDowell. It also reaffirms the decision Front Row Motorsports made to exercise their option on McDowell and Todd Gilliland for next season. On the Indy Road Course, the 34-team was solid all afternoon.

Despite a hard charge from Chase Elliott at the end of the race, McDowell held on strong. This came down to a long stretch of green flag racing, about 80 laps. Pole winner Daniel Suárez lost his track position on McDowell after a late pit stop went wrong.

INTO THE PLAYOFFS!! @Mc_Driver wins the #Verizon200 at @IMS! pic.twitter.com/TGmwyBpwnn
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 13, 2023

Michael McDowell is now locked into the NASCAR Playoffs. This is great for him and Front Row. However, it is not great for the other bubble drivers. While Bubba Wallace had a 58-point cushion coming into the race on the cutline, he has now lost more than half of that. Suárez had a very good race, and McDowell has jumped him in the standings with the win.

If Wallace can hold his own at Watkins Glen, and then run a great race at Daytona, he should make it on points. However, the heat is now turned up after McDowell’s win. Huge consequences for the playoffs. Elliott will have a real chance to win next Sunday with the speed he had.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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