Michael McDowell upset with Ty Gibbs after All-Star Open

Whoever thought the NASCAR All-Star Open would be boring didn’t see the Michael McDowell and Ty Gibbs rivalry popping up in this one. McDowell and Gibbs got pinched together earlier in the race. McDowell then suffered damage because of it and didn’t take kindly to how the rookie raced him. So, he went and tried to get some of it back.

Retaliation was the only thing on McDowell’s mind. The driver knew that he had to do something big in this Open. However, he didn’t get to finish it on his own terms. Instead, he did his best to hinder Ty Gibbs.

While he got in the way briefly, it didn’t stop Gibbs from charging to a P2 finish in the race. The rookie moves on to the big race while McDowell and his Mark Martin scheme get ready to watch from the hauler.

Michael McDowell isn't happy with Ty Gibbs after the All-Star Open. pic.twitter.com/Eri9oYjouF

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 21, 2023

Sometimes, those young drivers just know how to get under the skin of these veterans. Michael McDowell and Ty Gibbs got into it with one another while racing hard and this was the result. Despite getting back on the track and given a chance at Gibbs, McDowell couldn’t take the rookie out of the race.

There is a lot on the line for these drivers, even the ones in the Open event. Drivers have managed to make the transfer and win the All-Star Race before. So, it could happen. It just won’t happen with McDowell.

Michael McDowell fumes while Ty Gibbs celebrates

Now that Ty Gibbs is the young guy in the Cup Series, he doesn’t seem to want to cause much fuss. Sometimes, it just finds you. Given how little we have heard about Gibbs from other drivers this year, it is impressive. He’s the guy that wrecked his own teammate for a win he didn’t need, after all.

This one will probably stick with McDowell for a bit. You never like to be bumped into the wall like that, especially not by a rookie and with so much on the line.

Josh Berry was able to take the win in the Open. Ty Gibbs finished second and they are both moving on to the main event. Despite wrecking in this one, Noah Gragson is transferring to the big race after winning the fan vote.

This All-Star Race is about to get underway as fans and drivers prepare at North Wilkesboro. So far, the weekend has been phenomenal. If we can get some good short-track racing in tonight, then we should be calling this an abject success at the end of the night.