The NASCAR Cup Series raced the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Sunday (8/13). It was Michael McDowell who locked himself in the Playoffs with a win.
This year NASCAR made a new rule for road course racing. There are no yellow flags issued at the end of the first two stages. This allows for teams to use pit strategy and fuel mileage to try to win the race. That meant there was only a single caution period during the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard. It was for a single car spin on lap three of the race.
Michael McDowell made his statement that he was going to be a car to beat for the race early. He took his first lead of the race on lap six. He would lead a race high 54 laps during the race. There were six other cars that led at least one lap during the race. The second highest laps led was 11 by Christopher Bell. That was an obvious dominant performance by Michael McDowell. Michael was able to claim the win in stage one. Denny Hamlin won stage two.
Michael took the lead for the third and final time on lap 53. He was able to hold that lead for the final 30 laps of the race. He got his first win of the 2023 season and first career win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Cup Series. The win is his second win in NASCAR’s top division. The win Sunday locks him in the 2023 post-season.
Chase Elliott made a late race charge to challenge for the win, but was only able to take home the runner-up finish. Daniel Suárez started from the pole and took home third-place in the race. See the complete race results for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard here.
There are just two regular season races remaining. The top three in the point standings remain the same again this week. Martin Truex Jr. holds the top spot. Denny Hamlin is 60 points behind in second-place. William Byron is 104 back in third-place. It is possible for Martin to clinch the regular season title and the bonus Playoff Points that come with it in the next race. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings here.
The next race is another road course for the Cup Series drivers and teams. Sunday, August 20th is the Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen International.
(Feature photo credit: YouTube)
By: Buck Stevens
