Michael McDowell has early exit from Darlington race: Facing early elimination from playoffs

 

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

    After an early exit from the playoff-opening race at Darlington, 2021 Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell will have to go into the next two races in almost a must-win-to-advance type of attitude.

McDowell's No. 34 Ford Mustang was moving quickly up the leaderboard when his car got lose, and spun into the outside retaining wall, then shot back across the racing surface and slammed head on into the inside retaining wall. At the time of his crash, he had only completed 30 laps.

Being scored last of the 37 car field, definitely hurt McDowell's playoff hopes. Due to his DNF, McDowell sits 20 points under the cutline, and 11 points behind 15th place William Byron. Now with some good finishes in the next two races could get him into the next round on points, but McDowell has not finished in the top-10 at Richmond, and has a mere top-10 at Bristol. 

It could be safe to say that McDowell is in a must win situation in order to advance into the Round of 12, but you just never know!

Michael McDowell has crashed.

He's the first #NASCARPlayoffs driver out of tonight's race. TV: NBCSN pic.twitter.com/13C20UpE7U

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 5, 2021

"We know what we've got to do, we've got to go out and win a race. We'll fight hard, that's what we do." #NASCARPlayoffs driver @Mc_Driver has @RichmondRaceway and @BMSupdates left in the first round.

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 5, 2021