“He Wasn’t That Great There Last Year!” Micheal McDowell Shuts down Claims That Shane Van Gisbergen Is Unbeatable at Chicago

Michael McDowell downplayed Shane van Gisbergen's prospects for the Chicago street race despite the latter's victory in Mexico.

“He Wasn’t That Great There Last Year!” Micheal McDowell Shuts down Claims That Shane Van Gisbergen Is Unbeatable at Chicago

Michael McDowell (via Imago images) and Shane van Gisbergen (via Motorsport.com)

Shane van Gisbergen has been at the center of attention in the Cup Series lately. The Kiwi driver stunned the rest of the field when he clinched a shock victory during the inaugural race in Mexico City. Now, as the sport heads to Chicago for the third edition of the street race, Michael McDowell has downplayed Gisbergen’s prospects.

The Kiwi driver won the first-ever Chicago Street Race two years ago. The following year, however, Gisbergen wrecked out, leading to a disappointing end. Now, fans expect the Trackhouse Racing star to be right in the mix for victory with Shane van Gisbergen already making his way into the Playoffs. But McDowell is not so confident.

Michael McDowell insisted that last year showed that Shane van Gisbergen was not invincible at this track. Though, he praised the Kiwi driver for being an outstanding talent, McDowell asserted that the Trackhouse star was not untouchable. Rather, he insisted that Gisbergen could have a hard time once again in the streets of Chicago this year.

I mean, yes and no. He wasn’t that great there last year. You know, I think that he’s had some standout races, there’s no doubt, he’s an amazing talent. But he’s beatable, he’s not unbeatable.

Michael McDowell told Bob Pockrass

Michael McDowell blames caution for defeat to Shane van Gisbergen in Mexico

The Mexico City weekend was full of action. The Xfinity Series round was won by local boy Daniel Suarez, exactly what the crowd wanted to see. The following day, Shane van Gisbergen put forth an impressive drive to take the Cup Series win. However, according to Michael McDowell, Gisbergen did get lucky on his way to Victory Lane.

Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City (via Imagn)
Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City (via Imagn)

The Spire Motorsports driver reckoned that a late caution came at the right time for Gisbergen. This allowed the Kiwi driver to clinch the lead. McDowell was confident that if this had not been the case, he and Ty Dillon would’ve battled SVG for the race win. The No. 71 driver hinted that he could’ve been the one in Victory Lane if things had worked out in his favor in Mexico City.

No, it’s just caution fell right for him. I think Ty Gibbs and I would have given him a run for his money.

Michael McDowell added

Nevertheless, Michael McDowell did acknowledge that Shane van Gisbergen did pull off a good performance, which could not be denied no matter the in-race circumstances.

But that doesn’t take away how well he executed and how well his team executed. Qualified on the pole, that was the first step. Controlled the race and was leading when it counted. But you know, the 16-second lead, I restarted 18th on that last restart and drove up into the top five. I think that had I started next to him, he would have had a challenge.

Michael McDowell explained

Shane van Gisbergen will have a target on his back in Chicago. Michael McDowell is one driver who will be looking to battle it out against the Trackhouse Racing star. While Gisbergen does not need to worry about a Playoff spot, there are over a dozen drivers trying to make their way into the business end of the season. Perhaps, Gisbergen can throw a spanner in the works for drivers like McDowell in Chicago this time around.

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