Chicago Race Report: McDowell’s Thrilling Run Cut Short by Mechanical Failure
Michael McDowell faced disappointment in Sunday’s race on the Chicago street course after his No. 77 Chevrolet suffered a broken throttle cable, sidelining him before the race concluded. Despite leading every lap in the first stage and appearing dominant, mechanical issues thwarted his victory ambitions.
"We would have won the race," McDowell asserted post-race, reflecting on his team’s strong performance prior to the malfunction.
Starting from the pole, McDowell quickly established control, notably leading through the opening stage. However, disaster struck in the second stage when the throttle became stuck while he was under caution.
"I felt like we had control the whole race… anytime I needed to open a gap, I could," McDowell explained. As crew chief Travis Peterson attempted to implement a new race strategy that included fuel and fresh tires during their pit stop, McDowell’s concerns grew when the throttle’s malfunction persisted.
“I was worried it might not last… I had to shut the car off,” McDowell recalled. Despite an effort to repair the throttle, the team ultimately pushed the car behind the wall to address the issue, leaving McDowell multiple laps down and finishing in 32nd place.
Shane van Gisbergen capitalized on McDowell’s misfortune, securing the race victory. Reflecting on the day, McDowell expressed disappointment but remained focused: “We had a great car, but it is what it is. We’ve got good momentum going into Sonoma.”
