During the Daytona 500, Michael McDowell experienced significant issues with his No. 34 Ford Mustang, reporting a loss of 100 RPMs down the back straightaway and an inability to hang in the draft. Despite the car's gauges showing normal readings, McDowell described the car as feeling 'incredibly draggy' and slow, leading to him falling two laps down in less than 10 laps after pitting during the stage. The team, including crew chief Travis Peterson, acknowledged the problem, with McDowell making engine noises over the radio to help diagnose the issue. They planned to further investigate the engine problems at the stage break, noting that the issue was causing bad fuel mileage and affecting McDowell's performance. The engine shop was also listening to the No. 34 radio for insights. McDowell, who started on the front row, went from leading the race to losing the lead draft, highlighting the severity of the car's issues. The situation was reported at 56/200 laps into the race.
Now, McDowell told he may be a lap or two short on fuel. #NASCAR
Michael McDowell goes a second lap down in less than 10 laps. #NASCAR
"We're definitely in trouble guys." "We're working on a plan to diagnose the engine problems." Michael McDowell and Travis Peterson 56/200
"We're definitely in trouble here, guys." Michael McDowell
.@Mc_Driver: "We are definitely in trouble here, guys." #NASCAR
McDowell: "we're definitely in trouble here guys." #NASCAR
Michael McDowell now (hilariously) making different engine noises on his radio trying to explain to the team what the car sounds like. They are hoping to be able to diagnose at the end of the stage. "We're definitely in trouble."
McDowell is saying the issue comes and goes and randomly his motor will feel like its laboring. The team says he also is getting bad fuel mileage, so they feel like something is wrong, and they'll check it out under the Stage break. #NASCAR
"All indications are something is wrong. Hang on 12 laps." That's the latest to Michael McDowell Michael just made a bunch of sounds explaining what the car sounds like
Michael McDowell says he's losing about 100 rpm down the backstretch. Team thinks there is an issue with the No. 34 car, tells McDowell to ride around the stage break.
💭 "I know there's a headwind but it's losing 100 rpm down the backstraightaway," @Mc_Driver says. No. 34 can't keep up in the draft. @TRAVIS_P3TERSON says "all indications say something's wrong" and they'll check after Stage 1.
McDowell: "It's losing 100rpms down the back straightaway." #NASCAR
The 34 team feels they have an idea of what's wrong on the car after McDowell read some numbers off the electronic dash. They are telling him to survive to the end of the Stage. #NASCAR
Issues for the front-row starter with 12 laps left in Stage 1. #NASCAR https://t.co/KaKP5egy7X
Michael McDowell is reading through the pages on his digital dash to the team. The 34 might have an issue
"It feels incredibly draggy. No power. All the gauges are fine it's just really slow" Michael McDowell tells his team. The engine shop is listening to the No. 34 radio. #NASCAR
McDowell says his car is super draggy and slow. Says the gauges don't say anything weird, but his No. 34 Ford Mustang is not running correctly. #NASCAR
McDowell concerned there's an engine problem in the No. 34. Losing RPMs and can't push. Currently a lap down after pitting this stage. #NASCAR #Daytona500
McDowell as well... #DAYTONA500 #NASCAR https://t.co/faPwMl5CtS
McDowell can't even hang in the draft. #NASCAR
Michael McDowell on pit road. #NASCAR
Starting to get single file. Michael McDowell says his car feels slow. He went from leading the race to losing the lead draft. #NASCAR