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Michael McDowell wins pole award for Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona

JHby:Jonathan Howard•08/23/24•

Jondean25

McDowell
Apr 20, 2024; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell (34) races through the trioval during qualifying for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

For the fourth time this season, Michael McDowell wins the pole award. He gets it done for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this time. He was second best at Daytona for the 500, and now he’s the top driver. Does he have another NASCAR win up his sleeve?

Michael McDowell is looking to win at Daytona in order to punch his ticket to his second straight playoffs. That will be easier said than done.

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Good news, McDowell has a ton of speed. So does his teammate, Todd Gilliland. Front Row Motorsports locked out the front row and were by far the fastest two cars in qualifying.

Could it be a big night for FRM tomorrow?

Here is the full starting order from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.

Joey Logano is right there in P3. Logano was the pole winner at the Daytona 500. Again, as we look through the fastest 10 cars, it is dominated by Ford. The first six drivers and seven of the top-8 are all Dark Horse Mustangs.

Ryan Preece, Josh Berry, and Chase Briscoe put on the best display of SHR power in a long time. That’s a great final Daytona qualifying session for Stewart-Haas. The sport will be different without them next season.

BJ McLeod is in the field along with Cody Ware, Parker Retzlaff, Austin Hill, Shane van Gisbergen, and Joey Gase as the irregular drivers in the race. Could one of them play spoiler and take away an automatic playoff berth for one of the full-timers?

Michael McDowell has career year in poles

Prior to 2024, Michael McDowell had zero pole awards in the Cup Series. Despite having two wins, a Daytona 500 and a victory at the Indy Road Course, no poles. That has changed in a big way.

This season, McDowell won his first career pole, and his second, third, and fourth career poles. It’s been a career year for him in terms of qualifying. Credit the Front Row Motorsports mechanics and the team that puts these cars together for that.

Daytona is a beast unlike any other. To have this speed, from not just one but both FRM cars is impressive. That Team Penske alliance and Ford Tier 1 partnership is really paying off for Front Row in 2024.

Michael McDowell is leading the field to green with his teammate at his side. Will one of those two drivers end up stealing a playoff spot with a win on Saturday night?