Michael McDowell achieved a significant milestone at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, finishing eighth for his first career top 10 at Loudon on September 21. This breakthrough performance not only highlights the adaptability of McDowell in his new surroundings at Spire Motorsports, but also cements his standing as a determined competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series, bringing the focus keyword Michael McDowell top 10 Loudon into the spotlight for his 2025 campaign.
McDowell’s Path to New Hampshire Success
Michael McDowell, a 40-year-old Arizona native, has long been respected among NASCAR peers for rejuvenating his career amidst various challenges. With the upcoming move to Spire Motorsports in 2025, McDowell has once again shown resilience by adjusting to new dynamics and forging ahead with renewed goals. Since making his Cup Series debut in 2008, McDowell continues to find fresh achievements—both major and minor—to add to his career résumé.
His eighth-place result in New Hampshire marks his first ever top 10 at the track, a venue where playoff contenders routinely dominate. Starting the day from 11th, McDowell wasted no time, advancing to a top-10 finish in the first stage. The second stage brought further opportunities and hurdles, as quick decision-making from crew chief Travis Peterson—opting for two tires—propelled McDowell into fourth on a restart. However, the strategic call was challenged by rivals running four fresh tires, and McDowell ultimately slipped to 12th by the end of the stage.
In the final run, McDowell and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports team regained momentum, methodically climbing back into the top 10 and securing eighth at the finish. This solid performance underscores McDowell’s adaptability and the steady progress of Spire Motorsports in high-pressure situations.
“Solid weekend for our @GainbridgeSport No. 71 team. Executed our strategy today and brought it home P8. Onto Kansas! pic.twitter.com/37M55zwAgp”— Michael McDowell, Driver
Consistent Performance Marks McDowell’s 2025 Season
Although McDowell is currently on track to record his fewest top-10 finishes since 2021—when he tallied five, compared to four so far in 2025—his average running position of 19th matches what he earned in 2023. That consistency shows his steady form over the past few seasons and his ability to remain competitive, especially after pointing into the playoffs in 2023 and then clinching a win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Should he maintain this average, it will tie for the second-best season-long performance of his Cup career.
This result suggests that McDowell, and the up-and-coming Spire Motorsports organization, could be poised to build momentum throughout the remainder of the season. A strong finish in 2025 could elevate McDowell and his team as legitimate playoff contenders for the following year, further establishing his ongoing renaissance in NASCAR’s elite division.
Other Standout Underdog Performances at Loudon
McDowell’s headline achievement was just one of several compelling stories at New Hampshire, as multiple teams and drivers delivered notable runs. The battle between McDowell and his Spire Motorsports teammate, Carson Hocevar, stood out throughout the race. Early on, Hocevar looked set to lead Spire’s efforts, having raced from sixth to third within the opening laps and closing out stage one in fifth position.
Through the second stage, Hocevar engaged in a spirited duel with Joey Logano for second before holding steady in third, surviving repeated interruptions from caution periods and two-tire pit stops to finish the segment in fifth once more. However, the final stretch of the race saw Hocevar’s handling deteriorate, gradually dropping him out of the top 10. A late move by Chase Briscoe edged Hocevar to 11th with three laps remaining, just outside the top-10 threshold.
Despite missing out, Hocevar’s form remains impressive, particularly after a close call with victory at Bristol Motor Speedway the previous week. Over his last nine starts, Hocevar has posted eight finishes of 18th or better. Of note, he also recorded the fastest lap in the Xfinity segment of the race at New Hampshire with 24 laps to go.
“The only driver to run a lap under 30 seconds.@CarsonHocevar picked up his 2nd Xfinity #FastestLap of 2025 at @NHMS. pic.twitter.com/Wy36W9jmry”— Xfinity Racing
Noah Gragson’s Resilient Climb and Supporting Cast
Noah Gragson produced one of his best performances in a challenging season by charging from a disappointing 33rd starting position to a 16th-place finish. He quickly surged to 15th in the opening laps, and a clever move on the final restart of stage one elevated him from 25th to 18th at that segment’s conclusion. Gragson continued this strong form through stage two, fighting his way into the top 10 before settling into the top 15, and eventually finished the segment 19th.
Throughout the last phase of the race, the Front Row Motorsports driver kept a steady pace within the top 20. Ultimately, Gragson crossed the finish line 16th, marking his second top-20 result within four races and his eighth such finish in the current season. The Front Row Motorsports team also celebrated the return of Farm Rich as a sponsor on their No. 4 car, a partnership rekindled for the first time since 2014 after contributing to a historic team victory at Talladega Superspeedway in 2013 with David Ragan.
“A winning combination returns.@FarmRichSnacks was on the car for our first win with @DavidRagan back in 2013 at Talladega. They return to FRM for the first time since 2014 to sponsor @NoahGragson at @NHMS! pic.twitter.com/9wLho5EPC1″— Front Row Motorsports
Gragson’s teammate, Todd Gilliland, followed closely, finishing 19th after starting from last place in what was dubbed the “Pickle Car.” Gilliland worked his way up the order throughout each race stage, steadily improving his track position and securing his first non-superspeedway top-20 finish since the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. This performance was further lauded by the team and sponsors.
“P19 for the graffiti pickle car@GrillosPickles | @ToddGilliland_ | #Snoeman pic.twitter.com/HZmsQDBdR7″— Front Row Motorsports
AJ Allmendinger’s Roller Coaster Round
AJ Allmendinger capped off the top-20 with a hard-fought drive in Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 car. Entering the weekend with one of the quickest laps in practice and securing 12th on the starting grid, the seasoned driver’s day was challenged by slow pit stops and aerodynamic struggles during extended race runs. A pit road slip cost Allmendinger positions near the end of stage one, dropping him from 13th to 22nd, while tire wear further complicated his progress.
After earning a free pass with under 50 laps left, Allmendinger clawed his way back to claim 20th. This effort marked his third consecutive top-20 at Loudon, further reinforcing his tenacity during a demanding season.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Breakthrough and Setback
Shane van Gisbergen, hailing from New Zealand and often referred to as “the Kiwi,” delivered a promising run by qualifying inside the top 10 for his first time at an oval in NASCAR Cup competition. He spent much of the first half of the race in or around the top five, showcasing considerable speed in his Trackhouse Racing entry. By the end of stage one, van Gisbergen had placed seventh, enjoying more laps in the top 10 at this oval than in any similar prior event during his burgeoning NASCAR campaign.
However, a crash on lap 118 prematurely ended his day, relegating him to a 32nd-place finish and dashing what could have been a season-best result on an oval.
“Confirming this stat from Seth earlier. SVG ran 113 laps in the Top 10 today, by far the most he’s run on an oval so far in his Cup career.His previous best at a non-drafting oval was just 32 laps at Darlington last month.”— Daniel Céspedes
“WE’VE GOT A PILEUP 🫣The field runs into trouble with a multi-car pileup in New Hampshire! #NASCARPlayoffs📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/HlyYvldtHn”— NASCAR on NBC
Underdog Power Rankings After Loudon
The race at Loudon also prompted a shift in the underdog power rankings, as emerging names and returning contenders vied for position:
1. Carson Hocevar – Hocevar maintains his stronghold atop the rankings for the second week. Despite not yet achieving a top 10 at Kansas Speedway—where he heads next—he came close earlier this season before misfortune struck late in the race.
2. Michael McDowell – Jumping three spots in the rankings, McDowell’s determined drive at Loudon is a testament to his team’s growing confidence. With an eighth-place finish at Kansas in spring 2024, prospects are optimistic for similar future results.
3. Zane Smith – Despite a challenging day after a positive qualifying result, Smith retains a top-three ranking due to his resilience and previous solid finishes at Kansas.
4. AJ Allmendinger – Earning new recognition, Allmendinger’s speed has improved even though finishes have lagged expectations. He aims to build on past Kansas success, where he secured two top 10s in 2016 but has yet to replicate those results in recent appearances.
5. John Hunter Nemechek – A tough crash sidelined Nemechek’s bid for the top, but he looks to bounce back at Kansas, a track where he boasts four top-20 finishes—including one top 10—in five career starts.
Additional mentions were earned by Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, and Erik Jones, recognizing their consistent efforts in a fiercely competitive field.
Eye-Catching Schemes and Team Spirit
Creativity and sponsor partnerships were also part of the Loudon weekend’s excitement. Riley Herbst drew attention with a visually striking BeatBox livery on the No. 35, blending vibrant colors in a unique scheme that stood apart without being overwhelming. Starting 25th, Herbst managed a 22nd-place finish, reinforcing the determination shown by smaller teams to innovate both on and off the track.
“The Magic Mile 🔮 @BeatboxBevs pic.twitter.com/23oawKpvyj”— Riley Herbst
The Road Ahead for McDowell and Fellow Contenders
Michael McDowell’s top-10 finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway marks an important turning point for both him and Spire Motorsports, demonstrating their capability to challenge seasoned playoff drivers and to keep pace with more established teams. As they look towards the next stop at Kansas Speedway, expectations for further strong showings have grown, especially amid the lively competition among underdog drivers such as Carson Hocevar, Noah Gragson, and AJ Allmendinger.
This sustained progression and competitive drive across teams like Front Row Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, and Kaulig Racing energizes the Cup Series grid and promises heightened excitement as the playoffs draw near. The remaining races of 2025 will provide further opportunities for drivers and teams striving for milestones, deeper playoff contention, and their own breakthrough moments—proving that with tenacity and team spirit, new achievements remain within reach.
Solid weekend for our @GainbridgeSport No. 71 team. Executed our strategy today and brought it home P8. Onto Kansas! pic.twitter.com/37M55zwAgp
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) September 21, 2025
The only driver to run a lap under 30 seconds.@CarsonHocevar picked up his 2nd Xfinity #FastestLap of 2025 at @NHMS. pic.twitter.com/Wy36W9jmry
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) September 21, 2025
A winning combination returns.@FarmRichSnacks was on the car for our first win with @DavidRagan back in 2013 at Talladega. They return to FRM for the first time since 2014 to sponsor @NoahGragson at @NHMS! pic.twitter.com/9wLho5EPC1
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) September 18, 2025
P19 for the graffiti pickle car@GrillosPickles | @ToddGilliland_ | #Snoeman pic.twitter.com/HZmsQDBdR7
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) September 21, 2025
Confirming this stat from Seth earlier.
SVG ran 113 laps in the Top 10 today, by far the most he's run on an oval so far in his Cup career.
His previous best at a non-drafting oval was just 32 laps at Darlington last month. https://t.co/QgXK0N1jzC
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) September 21, 2025
WE'VE GOT A PILEUP 🫣
The field runs into trouble with a multi-car pileup in New Hampshire! #NASCARPlayoffs
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/HlyYvldtHn
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 21, 2025
The Magic Mile 🔮 @BeatboxBevs pic.twitter.com/23oawKpvyj
— Riley Herbst (@rileyherbst) September 20, 2025
