Asterisk Mark Report – Watkins Glen (2023)

Michael McDowell – I wouldn’t argue with anybody who said Michael McDowell was the best last year at Watkins Glen, but he finished an asterisk mark 36th. In the race, McDowell won Stage #1, led 17 laps but his race wasn’t incident free. In Stage #2 on lap 22 while leading, McDowell drove thru too many pit stalls which led to a drive thru penalty which dropped him back to 15th. Later on lap 55 when he was up to about 9th, McDowell then got penalized for his crew going over the wall too soon. McDowell bounced back again but then on lap 76 while running in 7th, McDowell had electrical/engine issues which marked the end of his race

Kyle Larson – Last year at Watkins Glen, Kyle Larson was a top 3 performer, but he finished an asterisk mark 26th. In the race, Larson finished 6th in Stage #1, finished 4th in Stage #2 but then in the last Stage on lap 55 while running in 3rd during green flag pit stops, he was caught speeding on pit road which was a huge setback. Then on the last lap while battling Austin Dillon for 19th, he spun out which hurt him even more in the results column.

Chase Elliott – Chase Elliott was a top five contender last year at Watkins Glen but he finished an asterisk mark 32nd. In the race, Elliott started 15th, finished 7th in Stage #2 but then on lap 55 while running in 7th, Elliott ran out of gas which ended up being the only caution of the race which doomed him to a poor result.