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Michael McDowell apologizes to drivers involved in last lap wreck after GEICO 500 at Talladega

Nick Profile Picby: Nick Geddes04/21/24NickGeddesNews
Michael McDowell
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Michael McDowell looked as if he had control of Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway — until he didn’t.

McDowell, who sat on the pole, led a race-high 36 laps and was out in front coming out of Turn 4 on the final lap before “The Big One” happened. In going for the win, McDowell caused the pileup after attempting the double block on Brad Keselowski as the two approached the checkered line. McDowell failed to clear Keselowski on the bottom, spinning back towards the wall and collecting the bulk of the field with him.

Speaking with Regan Smith of FOX Sports after being checked out of the infield care center, McDowell apologized to his fellow drivers involved in the last lap wreck.

“It’s just super unfortunate,” McDowell said. “I just hate it for everyone on this Love’s Ford Mustang and I hate it for Brad, too. We did a good job of keeping those Mustangs up front and he did everything right. He pushed me out, I drove back to him, and I was able to get in front of him that very first time but when I came back down, just barely wasn’t clear. I’ll have to watch the replay but that’s what I remember from it.

“So, I hated that we didn’t make it to the finish line. We had such a fast Mustang today and it’s unfortunate. It’s been a rough few weeks but it’s the last lap at Talladega. Going for it, trying to get a win and just came up short. Hate that I took a lot of guys with me, so I apologize to Brad and everybody that got collected in that.”

Michael McDowell comes up short at Talladega

McDowell’s No. 34 Ford didn’t make it across the start finish line. He came away with a disappointing P31 result. Tyler Reddick, meanwhile, won the race after racing past Keselowski on the front straightaway. The win is the sixth of Reddick’s career and first this season for 23XI Racing.

Keselowski, who finished P2, gave his take on what happened between he and McDowell on the last lap.

“We went to make a move and Michael covered it,” Keselowski said. “We went the other way and had nowhere to go when Michael came back down. It’s just the way this stuff goes.”