“Give them 30 seconds let them have at it,” These were Michael McDowell’s words after Ross Chastain landed a solid punch on Noah Gragson at Kansas Speedway in 2023. The Spire Motorsports driver doesn’t have a history of getting into fights and scuffles, but back in 2019, the rising temperature at Phoenix Raceway got the better of him too. So much so that he had to get into a physical confrontation with Daniel Suarez after the qualifying laps.
The disagreement between the two drivers sparked from an on-track incident where Suarez was unable to get past the No. 34 in the first round of qualifying. The Mexican driver felt he was impeded by McDowell who intentionally spoiled his qualifying run. Following the first round, The Trackhouse Racing driver tried to have a conversation with McDowell as he was exiting on the pit road. But even before they could exchange words a fight broke out.
What started as a heated exchange quickly escalated when McDowell shoved Suarez, triggering an immediate physical response. McDowell was surprisingly outmuscled by Suarez who pitted him to the floor. But the FRM cavalry had arrived in time and Suarez found himself strangled on the hood of the No. 34 car. Ultimately the cooler heads prevailed and the drivers were separated.
Starting a race in the 28th spot wasn’t going to fare well for then SHR driver. “Track position is very big in these races these days, and you have to qualify well to have a good stall on pit road,” Suarez explained after qualifying 28th. The Mexican driver didn’t mince words about the unwritten rule among competitors: “Everyone in here in the garage knows that second lap is a good one. You have to try to get out of the way if somebody’s coming in their hot lap.”
Under the 2019 aerodynamic rules package, which had reduced qualification time and made qualifying more crucial than ever, Suarez’s poor starting position meant a disadvantageous pit stall selection that could hamper his entire race strategy. In NASCAR’s ultra-competitive environment, such a disadvantage can be the difference between fighting for a win and struggling mid-pack.
When confronted after qualifying, McDowell claimed his helmet-wearing was merely a habit. “I always had my helmet when I get in and out, just an old habit,” he told the reporter, though the timing seemed suspiciously fortuitous given what was about to unfold. The trackside reporter later noted how predictable the confrontation had been: “Mike, you saw this building. The time is running out. They have less time this year than they’ve ever had before in the rounds, and there were so many cars to the end of pit road. It’s just a matter of time.”
WWE star Rey Mysterio reacts to the Daniel Suárez/Michael McDowell fight from Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/kNdkXWKEe7
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 18, 2019
“I just wanted to talk to him and he tried to crash me,” Suarez explained afterwards. The comment belied the intensity of the moment, captured in photos and videos that quickly circulated throughout the NASCAR community. McDowell offered his perspective after things had cooled down. “it’s racing you know, it’s a shorter practice session, short of qualifying, getting late going through tech intensity ramps up so it’s all part of it,” he said, downplaying the incident while acknowledging the competitive reality that had sparked it.
The sport has long understood that these moments of raw emotion while requiring management, are also part of what connects fans to the human element of racing. The tension between the two drivers eventually subsided, with both men focusing on the upcoming race rather than dwelling on their qualifying dispute. This professional reset is typical in NASCAR, where competitors often share the track the very next day after heated disagreements.
The Gordon-Bowyer Phoenix Feud That Defined an Era
Phoenix gained its infamous reputation for accidents involving drivers before Suarez and McDowell joined the scene. During the November 2012 AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix Raceway NASCAR saw what numerous fans label as the league’s worst contemporary battle after Jeff Gordon staged his fatal strike against Clint Bowyer near the race’s end. Suarez and McDowell’s qualifying incident was unlike Gordon’s intentional crash of Bowyer since their struggle erupted in 2013 at Martinsville Speedway where Bowyer’s dangerous maneuver caused Gordon and Jimmie Johnson’s cars to spin.
With just two laps remaining in the Phoenix race, Gordon’s No. 24 car deliberately turned right into Bowyer’s No. 15, sending both cars crashing into the wall along with Joey Logano and Aric Almirola. The intentional crash mathematically eliminated Bowyer from championship contention just one race before the season finale.
What followed became one of NASCAR’s most memorable moments: Bowyer’s now-legendary sprint through the garage area. After parking his damaged car on pit road, Bowyer leapt from the vehicle and took off running at full speed toward Gordon’s hauler, determined to confront his rival. Television cameras captured the surreal scene as Bowyer made his energetic dash through the garage, only to be intercepted by NASCAR officials and crew members before he could reach Gordon, escalating into a physical altercation involving both teams.
As a track that frequently holds crucial spots in the NASCAR schedule, Phoenix International Raceway maintains its status as a high-pressure environment for racing competition. Now that the NASCAR circus is back at the Desert Mile, who knows there might be something in store for the fans. Important to note, that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Noah Gragson were beefing on X. And then there is Rowdy Busch who won’t flinch to retaliate in a bid to snap his 60-race winless streak.
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