Michael McDowell’s late push in the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 finally earns him a career victory for Front Row Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway.

The Daytona 500 is finally back. 500 miles on NASCAR’s most famous racetrack and only one driver can be crowned the champion. It is a new season with much anticipation to see how new teams, as well as new drivers, perform. The Daytona 500 is a great example to see who prepared this offseason and who is ready for the 2021 season.  

The First Stage

Alex Bowman was fastest in qualifying on Wednesday, guaranteeing his first-place starting position for the Daytona 500. He surrendered his lead to Kevin Harvick on the first lap of the race.

On lap 4, a caution came out with Derrick Cope banging into the wall. With no drivers interested in coming down pit road, the race quickly resumed with Harvick still in first. However, the ‘big one’ occurred early in the race.

Christopher Bell had a huge run coming down the backstretch on lap 14. He could not check up and rammed straight into the bumper of Aric Almirola. Almirola slid up in the track and into Alex Bowman. This wreck collected many contenders including William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Ryan Newman, and Kurt Busch.  

Hamlin Takes Over after Long Weather Delay

After a long red flag break due to weather, the race finally picked back up. Chase Elliott was the new leader through all of this, and he brought everyone to the green flag. Denny Hamlin quickly made the pass for the lead and the race settled down into the single-file line. Denny Hamlin was able to go the rest of the stage with the lead and picked up the win in the first stage. 

The Second Stage

Austin Cindric jumped out to the lead to begin the second stage. His lead was quickly given up to Christopher Bell. Once more, the field looked to log laps in the long race. Everyone formed a single file line and raced around the superspeedway.

With 25 laps remaining in the stage, teams began to cycle down pit road under the green flag. Some teams took fuel only and were able to return to the track rather quickly. Denny Hamlin was one of these drivers, and he was able to return to the lead. Once more, Denny Hamlin was able to go the distance and win the second stage. 

The Third Stage

Denny Hamlin returned to the lead to begin the third stage. Seeking his third Daytona 500 in a row, Hamlin stayed out front as the rest of the field filed in behind him.

Green flag stops began to cycle through with 30 laps remaining. Joey Logano was able to cycle into the lead. Following Logano were Brad Keselowski and Michael McDowell. As the race neared lap 200, many drivers tried to pull out of line to make a move for the lead. However, there was no passing as the field came to the white flag.

Logano held on tightly to the lead as the field came around the second turn. Down the backstretch, Keselowski and McDowell had a big run gunning for the lead. Brad Keselowski moved to the bottom in an attempt to take the lead.

Then It appears that Joey Logano made a late block on Brad Keselowski. The move was too late for Keselowski to avoid. The two collided and collected several other drivers.

Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott, and Austin Dillon made it through the wreck, and it was a drag race for the checkered flag. Three-wide coming out of the fourth turn, Chase Elliott held the advantage. However, Michael McDowell had a run on the high side. McDowell surged past Elliott and set his eyes on the checkered flag. Michael McDowell reached the line to win the 2021 Daytona 500. 

Michael McDowell’s Late Push Earns him a Daytona 500 Win

A late push for Michael McDowell helped him pick up his first career Cup Series win. After fourteen years racing at NASCAR’s highest level, he gets his first win on the biggest stage. 

McDowell credits his win to the final pitstop his team made saying, “It was the race.  We knew it was and it always comes down to that green flag stop.  If you speed, you make a mistake, you slide the tires, your day is done.  We just executed perfectly.  We left together.  Brad and I left together hooked up on bumpers and we were able to get some good speed and when the Toyotas and Chevys joined the track we had so much momentum we were able to keep the lead.  It’s unbelievable.  I just can’t believe I won the Daytona 500.  This is amazing.”  

The Daytona 500 and the Harley J. Earl Trophy is one of NASCAR’s most prestigious awards. McDowell was full of joy after the race, and for a great reason. To have this race be your first win is like having your first Major League Baseball at-bat be a homerun. It is special to witness for everyone!