Michael McDowell is entering NASCAR’s first off-weekend of the 2026 Cup Series season with some work to do moving forward. McDowell sits 17th in the point standings, only one spot out of the 16-driver Chase field. While there are 19 races left in the regular season, the No. 71 team hopes to show more speed.
McDowell is the last Spire Motorsports driver in the point standings, with Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez holding the 15th and 16th spots, respectively. The driver of the No. 71 car is nine points below Suarez for the final spot in the Chase. There is plenty of time for things to change on the Chase bubble.
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Based on Spire Motorsports’ speed, it wouldn’t be shocking to see McDowell jump into the 16-driver Chase field during the summer months. It will be a grind for the No. 71 team at Spire Motorsports; however, McDowell is capable of making the Chase during the 2026 NASCAR season.
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This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Michael McDowell enters NASCAR off weekend below Chase bubble in 2026
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