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With only seven races remaining until the Cup playoffs begin, Travis Peterson, crew chief for Michael McDowell, sees the next four weeks as their playoff stretch. McDowell currently holds the final playoff spot, with six drivers within 44 points of him. However, Peterson acknowledges that McDowell has historically struggled at the upcoming tracks, making these four races critical. The tracks include New Hampshire, Pocono, Richmond, and Michigan, where McDowell’s past performances have been less than stellar. After Michigan, the Cup Series moves to road course events at Indianapolis and Watkins Glen, followed by the regular-season finale at Daytona. Peterson believes that if they can stay within a few points of their competitors heading into the Indy road course race, they will be in a good position. The team aims to secure good finishes, accumulate stage points, and improve on their past performances in these next four races. Peterson’s strategy has been key to McDowell’s recent success, as he embraces alternative pit strategies to gain track position. Despite overcoming a pit road incident at the previous race in Atlanta, McDowell managed to finish fourth, earning his fourth top-10 in the last five races. Peterson’s decision-making was crucial in navigating through cautions and strategizing fuel mileage in the rain-affected race. The crew chief’s aggressive approach has paid off, and McDowell finds himself in a provisional playoff spot heading into the remaining races.
