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Denny Hamlin sounds off on Michael McDowell Chicago effort, comments on Shane van Gisbergen

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones07/08/25brianjones_93
Michael McDowell
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin was impressed with how Michael McDowell competed against Shane van Gisbergen at the Chicago Street Race. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin reacted to McDowell leading 31 of the 75 laps before having issues with his No. 71 Chevrolet.

“Michael McDowell made some comments before the race that he felt that [Shane van Gisbergen] could get gotten,” Denny Hamlin said. “He definitely put his money where his mouth was and went out there, led the first portion of the race before he had to pit. At that point, I think they had throttle issues.

“You kind of saw it under caution. It was very, very weird. They replayed it where he was locking up the front tires, trying to get the thing to stop. It could be a lot of things. You wouldn’t think it’s rubber build-up in there.”

Because McDowell has throttle issues, he finished 32nd on Sunday. It was the second time in three races that the 40-year-old has finished outside the top 30. After the race, McDowell explained what happened with his car and his overall performance at Chicago.

Michael McDowell reacts to performance at Chicago

“The throttle cable just broke. I don’t know what caused it or how it got to that spot, but that’s what happened,” he said, per Dustin Long of NBC Sports. “I feel like we had control of the race. I think it would have been a battle, no doubt. I felt like any time I could open a gap on SVG, I could. We were just working on our strategy. We knew we were going to one-stop it, so I was taking care of the tires and doing all the things I could.

“I was behind the pace car and the throttle stuck wide-open. Luckily, I got to the switches fast enough before I ran into something, and then a cable broke after that. It’s just a shame. We had a great No. 71 DePaul Chevrolet. We’ve got some good momentum heading into Sonoma next weekend.”

Shane van Gisbergen won the race and now has two victories this season. In his NASCAR Cup Series career, the 36-year-old has won four races in 36 starts.