Throttle Malfunction Knocks McDowell From Lead in NASCAR Chicago Race

Michael McDowell’s bid to defend the lead in NASCAR’s Grant Park 165 on the Chicago street course was derailed late in Stage 2 when his throttle became stuck, at times registering between 35 percent and fully wide-open. The No. 71 Chevrolet first reported the issue under caution on lap 32, forcing an unscheduled pit stop while McDowell’s crew attempted to free the pedal and check for damage. McDowell briefly returned to the track but soon radioed that the throttle was again jammed, obliging a second stop as the field took the green flag. The setbacks ceded the lead to New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, who had climbed from 10th to fourth in the opening laps of the stage and inherited first place once McDowell pitted. Team engineers told McDowell to conserve the car and indicated he may not need to pit again if the repair held, but the recurrence of the fault left his chances of contending for the win in doubt as Stage 2 continued.