"Mindset doesn't change, technique needs to" - Michael McDowell to employ repeat blocking strategy for win despite Talladega incident with Keselowski
Despite his Talladega crash and the subsequent DNF, NASCAR veteran Michael McDowell stands by his methods of racing ahead of the NASCAR Cup event in Dover.
McDowell's second pole victory of his career ended on a disappointing note. While attempting to fend off Brad Keselowski and secure the lead, the Front Row Motorsports driver lost control of his No. 34 Ford, spinning out and causing a big crash in the final lap of the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway.
With his DNF, McDowell's chances of playoff qualification have now hit a roadblock 10 races into the season. However, the FRM veteran remains unfazed by recent incidents, maintaining a bold approach towards upcoming races.
Speaking to Carla Gebhart in a recent episode of DJD Reloaded podcast, Michael McDowell explained his predicament as a driver. He said:
"You run second, it does nothing for you. It does nothing for me financially, it does nothing for my race team. It's a great finish but it's not the goal. The goal is to win the race and be in the playoffs."
Acknowledging the need for a strategic shift in his approach, McDowell emphasized the importance of balancing aggression with finesse. He said:
"The point system and the way the playoff system works, is you have to know where you're at and you have to do. And right now, we need a win. The mindset doesn't change, but the approach, the finesse, and the technique needs to change because we didn't do it successfully."
Michael McDowell willing to take more risks for a win
Reflecting on his Talladega incident, McDowell highlighted the complexities of in-the-moment decision-making on the track. He said:
"After watching it and studying it, there's definitely things I could've done differently. But you only get one shot at it in the moment and, yeah it didn't work out."
Despite the risks involved, McDowell remains steadfast in his determination to seize victory, expressing a willingness to push the limits to achieve his goal. The Front Row Motorsports driver added:
"Getting crashed is not how you win the race, but I also feel that in that particular moment, if I just block high and I stay up, I'm finishing third or fourth. And I'm not willing to do that voluntarily."
After 10 races in the 2024 season, Michael McDowell finds himself 26th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. Despite two pole victories, the 39-year-old has only registered two top-10 finishes in the season, and has 157 points to his name.