Michael McDowell Reflects on Unforgettable Daytona 500 Triumph, Eyes Phoenix Return
Michael McDowell revisited the chaotic, rain-delayed finish that produced one of NASCAR’s most surprising champions and outlined his plans as he balances Cup Series duty with renewed interest in his home-state racing scene. The 2021 Daytona 500—marked by a massive early wreck, an hours-long downpour and a dramatic last-lap twist—remains vivid for McDowell, who says the memory still carries the same adrenaline and gratitude nearly every time he thinks back.
Night of rain, wrecks and a shock finish
The race began with calamity on Lap 14 when a 16-car pileup reshaped the field and sent teams into recovery mode. McDowell’s No. 34 Ford took damage but remained repairable. Then came the five hours and 40 minutes of rain delay that left parts of the garages soaked and many expecting the event to resume the next day. McDowell says he kept his fire suit on and waited, anxious and focused on what the restart would demand.
When action resumed and the laps wound down, the final sequence delivered the kind of finish that becomes motorsports lore. A fiery crash involving two contenders out of Turn 3 set up a sudden sprint to the line. McDowell wheeled around the aftermath, surged into the lead with Chase Elliott close behind, and the caution flag ultimately froze the running order. The checkered came at 12: 15 a. m. ET on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, and officials reviewed the replay before confirming McDowell as the Daytona 500 winner.
From 100-1 longshot to a memory that won't fade
At 36 years old and making his 358th Cup Series start, McDowell arrived at Daytona with 100-to-1 odds and no prior Cup victories. The enormity of the moment hit him hard in the aftermath. "It was an amazing night, amazing memory for me, just executing what I needed to execute, " he said, summing up the rush of emotions—thankfulness, joy and adrenaline—that followed the unexpected triumph.
McDowell called the rain a strange blessing. Damage from the early crash left his team to chart a recovery plan, and he believes the hits were "in all the right places, " allowing the crew to make repairs that ultimately left the car competitive. "We were able to figure out a strategy of getting the car back to where it needed to be and still be competitive, " he said, underscoring how teamwork and quick adjustments turned a frustrating night into the sport’s biggest prize.
Looking ahead: Spire Motorsports, double duty and Phoenix
McDowell has continued his Cup Series career and this season is slated to run double duty with Spire Motorsports. A native of Glendale, Arizona, he is watching the return of top-level open-wheel racing to his home region with interest. INDYCAR’s planned return to Phoenix Raceway on March 7 (ET) has particular resonance for him, and he’s spoken about the local buzz that comes when national series race in the desert.
Balancing commitments and staying sharp across different schedules remains a challenge, but McDowell’s reflections on Daytona show why he values every opportunity. The emotional high of that 2021 victory is a reminder that persistence and teamwork can upend expectations on any given night. For McDowell, the memory of sprinting to the lead under floodlights—and the gratitude that followed—remains as potent as ever as he looks forward to new runs and new finishes in the seasons ahead.
