McDowell Finishes 24th and Gilliland 29th in Michigan

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It is going to be a dramatic next three weekends for Front Row Motorsports as it continues its NASCAR Cup Series playoff push. After the rain-delayed Michigan International Speedway on Monday, Michael McDowell and the No. 34 team are now three points behind 16th and the final playoff spot.

For Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 team, they will be looking to win at one of Gilliland's best tracks upcoming at Indianapolis, Watkins Glen and Daytona after having trouble in Michigan.

McDowell and the Love's Travel Stops/Martin Transportation Systems Ford team had problems early when their nose was pushed in on a restart. The nose damage affected the speed in the No. 34 car. The team made repairs, but they had to rely on pit strategy to jump positions.

McDowell was in the top-10 to begin the final stage, but the body damage just didn't allow the team to stay up front.

Gilliland and the Chicago Pneumatic team showed speed on Monday. The team was able to stay in the top-20 and even race in the top-15. But later in the race, Gilliland was pushed into the wall and cut a tire. In the closing laps he cut another tire.

Todd Gilliland, Driver No. 38 Chicago Pneumatic Ford Mustang:

“Yesterday, we were loose and then tight. Today, we were faster, but needed to be a little better. We just got squeezed on that restart and went into the wall and cut the tire. That left us with some damage and we cut another tire at the end.

"I think our Chicago Pneumatic Ford Mustang was a top-20 car today, but we didn't get to show it at the end."

Michael McDowell, Driver No. 34 Love's Travel Stops/Martin Transportation Systems Ford Mustang:

"Just a long two days with the nose damage. But, we can look ahead and know that we can do this. Anything can happen, but these are good tracks for us."

The team next races Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. The race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.