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NASCAR fans weren't pleased with Michael McDowell's actions during the NASCAR Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.
Front Row Motorsports veteran Michael McDowell secured the second pole of his career, and the second of his season, during the qualifying session ahead of the GEICO 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway. The 39-year-old driver found himself at the front of the pack in the final stages of the race, looking primed to clinch his and Ford's first win of the season.
However, in an attempt to block RFK Racing driver Brad Keselowski on the last lap, McDowell lost control of his No. 34 Ford, making contact with Keselowski's Ford and spinning out in the process. The clash created a chain reaction, with a pile of cars being involved in the incident.
The aftermath of the collision saw Corey LaJoie's car skidding across the finish line on its side, illustrating the chaotic scene that unfolded in front of spectators. Numerous other vehicles suffered damage as a result of the incident, with McDowell finishing 31st.
Following the race, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure with Michael McDowell's reckless maneuver on the final lap at Talladega. One user wrote:
"He caused millions in destroyed cars. Just stay in your lane."
"Bad blocking," commented another user.
A third fan added:
"Terrible move, but he owned it as a man, respect for that."
"He tried to do too much too quickly & wrecked the field," added another fan.
"...this was a bad decision on his part," wrote a fifth user.
"Felt soooooo bad for @bradKeslowski having to lift like that," commented another user.
Michael McDowell reflects on Talladega DNF
McDowell himself shared his perspective on the incident, expressing his remorse for the outcome while also defending his competitive mindset in the heat of the moment. The Front Row Motorsports driver said after the race (via NASCAR.com):
"Just heartbroken, man. I pull down a little bit sooner, and we win the race. But that’s racing. I moved up to block Brad’s run and when I pulled back down, I just wasn’t clear. Barely got my bumper and turned me.
"Just unfortunate, and I hate it because we had a good chance of getting a Dark Horse Mustang in victory lane. We definitely had the speed. But on the flip side of that, it’s the last lap at Talladega and you’re going for a win."
Despite the setback, McDowell remained resolute, emphasizing the positive aspects of his team's performance and their potential for success in future races.
"I’m super disappointed," he said. "I hate it that people got caught up in my mess. But I’m proud of our effort. I’m proud of our speed and I’m proud of our race team."
After ten races, Michael McDowell has 157 points to his name. The 39-year-old driver is ranked 26th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
