Michael McDowell predicted his Indianapolis victory in Twitter exchange with Denny Hamlin

Some of the best sports moments are when athletes call their shot, Michael McDowell did just that just two weeks ago. With his victory in the NASCAR Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, McDowell is in the playoffs and has proven Denny Hamlin wrong in the process.

As the season turned the corner into the final month, Denny Hamlin talked about his thoughts on who would make the postseason. With Chase Elliott’s seven career wins on road courses, Hamlin was confident the 2020 champion would get the job done.

Well, Michael McDowell felt differently. In fact, he told Hamlin to check the numbers.

“I’ll take that bet [Denny Hamlin]. Pul up total points scored on road courses with the NextGen car. I think we got a good shot at it,” McDowell said in response to an Actions Detrimental clip.

I’ll take that bet @dennyhamlin Pull up total points scored on road courses with the NextGen car. I think we got a good shot at it.

— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) August 1, 2023

“Prove me wrong!! LFG,” Hamlin replied.

“Planning on it,” the Indy Road Course winner concluded. Oh yeah, this was 12 days ago, by the way.

Planning on it!

— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) August 1, 2023

With the numbers on his side, a solid bit of momentum over the last few weeks, and a fast car in practice and qualifying – Michael McDowell called his shot. Now, he’s in victory lane with the NBC crew, kissed the bricks, and has his ticket to the NASCAR Playoffs.

While this was great for McDowell, other drivers on the bubble are sweating. Mainly, Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott. Neither of them wanted this result today.

Michael McDowell turns up the pressure on playoff bubble

With a dominant win at the Indy Road Course, Michael McDowell is a different driver all of a sudden. He’s got a playoff spot locked up and he’s going back to another road course. He is in a position where he can start thinking about points racing, just so he can improve his playoff position heading into the first round.

What if Front Row Motorsports carries this road course speed to Watkins Glen and pulls off a Chris Buescher, a little back-to-back? At any rate, this Verizon 200 win puts some drivers in a bad position.

Daniel Suárez was strong all day and picked up a ton of points. He cut the lead Bubba Wallace had on the cutline in half. It wasn’t a strong day for Wallace, although he holds the final spot in the playoffs at the moment.

This win also puts Chase Elliott in a rough spot. He had winning speed for the first time in weeks. However, Michael McDowell was faster. If he can bring that speed to The Glen, good. If not, this will be the one that got away.