For the primary time in 2020, NASCAR will compete on the historic 2.5-mile oval track on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after spending the last three seasons on the road course.
McDowell won last yr’s race, and his impressive victory propelled him and his No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford into the playoffs for just the second time in his profession. He battled Chase Elliott in the ultimate seconds to win the race, which ended with a grueling 77-lap green-flag run.
“It's cool to be back there because we won last year and they'll have banners with us in Victory Lane. It's cool. It'll be cool,” he said. “I do know people won't imagine me after I say this, but I do. I wish we still had a road course or a doubleheader.
“I think we should race on the oval track at Indy. It's just history and it's just different. The feel is different. It's nothing like the Indy 500 versus the Indy Grand Prix, with the Indy car guys racing on a road course. It's still a fun race and it's still a fun weekend, but it's not the Indy 500.”
Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, Horizon Hobby Ford Mustang
Photo: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsports images
Don't get McDowell unsuitable. He appreciates the IMS story as much as anyone else – in any case, he's a winner on the track.
He also has extensive experience on the oval track, having competed within the Cup 12 times there, together with his best result being seventh place in 2020.
“There's something really special about going to Indy — it's almost hard to explain. There's so much history and so much emotion to the track, it's a place you really want to win,” McDowell, 39, said.
“At the end of the day you're often fighting against the track itself. It can be difficult to overtake because the corners are so tight and you can't ride well in a bunch. Track position and restarts will be key to a good run.”
How will IMS race the subsequent generation automotive?
McDowell can be curious to see if the Next Gen automotive – which has never been used on the Indy oval track – can live as much as its status for delivering thrilling racing on medium- and high-speed oval tracks.
Before NASCAR moved racing to the road course three years ago, a standard grievance was the poor racing.
“I’ve been in this sport a long time, so I’ve had a lot of time to sit in Indy. Some people have, but a lot don’t,” he said. “I have a look at it as a chance, and I’ve driven a number of different packages there, from low downforce to high downforce, zero drag to high drag, 1,000 horsepower to 500 horsepower.
“I feel like I got a lot out of it, and I can’t wait to jump on the Indy track in the Next Gen and see what it can do.”
McDowell's crew chief, Travis Peterson, agrees.
“Returning to the oval track will present its own set of challenges compared to the road course. It's a difficult place to overtake and positioning and strategy will be key,” he said.
“Michael is one of the few Cup drivers with oval track experience, so we'll have a good game plan. We just have to take advantage of this opportunity.”
