Michael McDowell COTA practice performance turned heads on Saturday as he led the field during the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) practice session, delivering a clear warning to his challengers. McDowell’s strong showing put every NASCAR Cup Series team on notice ahead of qualifying, fostering anticipation for Sunday’s main event at the famed street circuit.
McDowell Takes Top Spot in Competitive Practice Session
Demonstrating his expertise around the demanding COTA layout, McDowell posted the fastest time in Group 1, edging past fellow competitors including Connor Zilisch, who secured second place, and two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who took third. Rounding out the top five were Todd Gilliland and Kyle Busch, while stalwarts like Alex Bowman, Cole Custer, Jesse Love, Austin Cindric, and William Byron completed the remainder of the top ten.
Surprisingly, the defending COTA winner Christopher Bell landed only 15th in practice, leaving the path open for a new victor and signaling heightened unpredictability this weekend. Bell’s placement, given his history at COTA, showcased just how open the competition would be going into the next stages.
A Veteran’s Realism and Resolve
After his standout practice run, McDowell maintained a measured yet confident outlook when speaking to Heather DeBeaux. He underscored that improvement is always possible on such a tricky street circuit, saying,
“You always want more grip, you want more turn, you want more drive,”
— Michael McDowell, Driver. This acknowledgment of the circuit’s challenges underscores why experience is pivotal at a venue like COTA.
McDowell recognized that while the team had found promising speed, nothing in racing is guaranteed to remain constant.
“We had good speed, good fall off, but a lot’s going to change with this track,”
— Michael McDowell, Driver. His honest appraisal and calm assurance made it clear that his team’s success was not accidental, but the product of concerted effort and preparation.
Eyes on Qualifying and Race Day
With qualifying looming, McDowell kept his attention on each immediate challenge ahead, knowing that Group 1 in qualifying could present new obstacles.
“I think Group 1 in qualifying’s going to be a challenge,”
— Michael McDowell, Driver. Instead of getting ahead of himself, he emphasized the immediate priorities.
“But we just need a good starting spot and we’ll be ready for tomorrow,”
— Michael McDowell, Driver.
As the broader NASCAR field at COTA is packed with both seasoned veterans like Larson and emerging talents such as Zilisch and Love, McDowell’s position at the top of practice suggests a battle where experience could make the difference. With names like Alex Bowman, William Byron, and Kyle Busch also present in the top ten, the practice session reflected both depth and unpredictability among the favorites and potential breakout stars.
Significance of McDowell’s Message and What Lies Ahead
The sharper undertone in McDowell’s four-word message—“We’re in the game”—sent a definitive signal to every rival monitoring the timing screens. Topping practice at COTA is significant but not a guarantee of ultimate victory, especially as track conditions will develop as more laps are run. The surface at COTA will change throughout the weekend, and McDowell’s grounded outlook reflects his understanding that fast practice times need to be converted carefully in race conditions.
As the COTA weekend continues, fans and fellow drivers alike will be watching closely to see if McDowell and his team can maintain their edge. The high-energy environment in the NASCAR garage now carries an extra sense of anticipation, with McDowell’s performance—and his warning—setting the tone for a fiercely competitive race ahead.
Michael McDowell set the quick time in Group 1 practice. How was it?
"You always want more grip, you want more turn, you want more drive," he tells @HeatherDeBeaux. "We had good speed, good fall off, but a lot's going to change with this track. But the good news is we're in the…
— PRN (@PRNlive) February 28, 2026
