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Michael McDowell calls his shot for Sonoma after Chicago 'preview'

JHby: Jonathan Howard07/07/25Jondean25
Michael McDowell NASCAR Chicago
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

While he finished P32 today, Michael McDowell led the most laps in the NASCAR Chicago Street Race before having issues. A broken throttle pedal cable was more or less the end of the day for the 71 team.

Even though things ended poorly, Michael McDowell made a bit of a statement. He beat Shane van Gisbergen into the first turn to start the race and even did it again on a restart after the Carson Hocevar pileup.

McDowell is remaining positive. The Daytona 500 winner is calling his shot for next week at Sonoma.

“Chicago was a preview. The real show’s next weekend [at Sonoma],” McDowell posted on Twitter/X. A bold claim to make after his impressive performance in the first half of today’s race.

To be fair to Michael McDowell, he is really great at Sonoma. In the Next Gen car, it might be his best track. P2, P7, and P3 in the last three races at the track. There is a real chance that McDowell could have another great performance next week. This time, hopefully, his throttle pedal cable holds up.

Shane van Gisbergen has upped the level of competition on the road courses. You have to be perfect if you want to compete with him. Not just the driver, but the pit crew, crew back in the shop, crew chief, and everyone else on the team. Because if you aren’t SVG is going to cross you over and make a pass where you never saw it coming. If you even get near him.

Michael McDowell was the only driver to hold off SVG for an extended period of time in this race. He just didn’t get to finish it out.

Michael McDowell has upped the stakes at Spire

For as much credit as Carson Hocevar gets for being a young, talented racer, Michael McDowell deserves just as much credit for being the steady veteran at Spire Motorsports. He’s raced in all kinds of series and has a wealth of experience to bring to this team, and it shows.

Spire has a lot of investment in the organization now. They are a three-car organization. Lately, it has felt like they are on the verge of getting a win, be it with Hocevar or McDowell. This week, the two drivers qualified in the top three behind SVG. It was a great showing for both.

McDowell is 40 years old. I’d argue he is in his peak. He is having the best performances of his career lately. Spire is going to improve so much because of his presence in the organization. If he manages to get a win this season, it will be a major moment for Spire.

You can sense that Michael McDowell takes the Shane van Gisbergen praise personally. He wants everyone to know that he can be just as fast on a road course, and even on a street course. While SVG is great, McDowell has won on a NASCAR road course before, too. Can he do it again next weekend at Sonoma?