Michael McDowell secured a victory in Stage 1 of the NASCAR race in Atlanta, starting from the pole position and leading at four different points during the initial 60 laps. The stage concluded with a one-lap shootout, taking about 55 minutes to complete, with McDowell winning over competitors such as Blaney, Chastain, Larson, and Busch, among others. This win marks McDowell's third career stage win and is significant, granting him 10 points and 1 playoff point, especially after a disappointing finish at the Daytona 500 where he left with only 1 point due to mechanical issues. The race saw competitive action, with McDowell and Kyle Busch notably swapping the lead, showcasing the event's intensity.
Back to green, Lap 69 #nascar
Head to pit road and CRANK IT UP! ππ https://t.co/GLwiGnoC5l
Michael McDowell wins Stage 1 in Atlanta! #NASCAR https://t.co/fB0fAy1klD
Stage 1: McDowell! Stage 2: ??? Stage 3: ??? MoreΒ» https://t.co/8BlkBmYWQd https://t.co/7TYKqVjQ4X https://t.co/uDArGOmlcT
Starts on the pole β Wins Stage 1 β A good start to the #Ambetter400 for @Mc_Driver. πΊ: FOX | π²: https://t.co/oWWAut6pxx https://t.co/eOOzcUFwgT
Pole sitter Michael McDowell wins stage one. Rest of the top 10: 12-1-5-8. 19-47-23-24-38. #NASCAR #AmbetterHealth400
Michael McDowell wins the first stage over Blaney, Chastain, Larson, Busch, Truex, Stenhouse, Wallace, Byron, Briscoe
Stage 1 winner, @Mc_Driver. @SethEggert91 that's... third career stage win for him? (Literally winging it off memory.) #NASCAR | #AH400
#NASCAR ... Michael McDowell wins Stage 1. That's big for him because it gives him 10 points (and 1 playoff point). He left the Daytona 500 with 1 point after finishing 36th due to mechanical issues.
Stage 1 Results - Atlanta Cup 1-McDowell 2-Blaney 3-Chastain 4-Larson 5-Busch 6-Truex 7-Stenhouse 8-Wallace 9-Byron 10-Gilliland #NASCAR
Quick 1-lap dash to end Stage 1. @Mc_Driver wins it over Blaney, Chastain, Larson, Busch, MTJ, Stenhouse, Wallace, Byron and Gilliland. Very herky-jerky 60 laps. Took about 55 minutes to run.
Michael McDowell wins Stage 1. Also scoring stage points: Blaney, Chastain, Larson, Busch, Truex, Stenhouse, Wallace, Byron, Gilliland.
Michael McDowell wins Stage 1. 2. Blaney, 3. Chastain, 4. Larson, 5. Busch, 6. Truex, 7. Stenhouse, 8. Wallace, 9. Byron, 10. Gilliland. #NASCAR
CAUTION 4 -- Lap 61: Stage 1 end. Michael McDowell wins Stage 1 from the pole with Blaney, Chastain, Larson, Busch, Truex, Stenhouse, Walalce, Byron and Gilliland the top 10 and all receiving stage points. #NASCAR
Michael McDowell wins the stage and gets a playoff point out of it
Michael McDowell, stage winner! He wins Stage 1 from the pole after leading four different times during the opening 60 laps.
Michael McDowell wins Stage 1 in a one-lap shootout. #NASCAR
Michael McDowell wins Stage 1 #NASCAR
.@Mc_Driver wins Stage 1
One lap shootout to end Stage 1 #nascar
You can hear Kyle Busch attempt to check up on the on board cam. It looked like Hamlin didn't know Busch was there with how hard he turned left at the end there. #NASCAR
Kyle Busch and Michael McDowell swapping the race lead. Some very competitive action at the front of the field in this first stage.
Kyle Busch knifes to the inside of McDowell, and he takes the lead. #NASCAR
Michael McDowell back out front. Dicey at the front. #NASCAR