Michael McDowell Likely Needs Win To Advance
1 year agoAlthough Michael McDowell made the playoffs and earned his best short track qualifying performance ever for Saturday night's Bristol race, he almost certainly won't advance to the Round of 12. He ranks last in the playoffs 40 points below the cutline, which means he needs a win. Stage points might help as well. However, short tracks remain McDowell's Achilles' heel. He ranks 25th in speed on short tracks this year with a speed percentile of 37.98%, considerably slower than even his teammate Todd Gilliland, which means he is unlikely to sustain his qualifying speed. Additionally, he has never finished better than 6th on a short track and he has only scored a career three stage points at Bristol. Making the next round would take quite an effort.
Source: Racing Reference
Source: Racing Reference