There have been plenty of professional athletes in the history of sports who have called their own shots and proved doubters wrong.
Michael McDowell was able to do that this past weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Not only did he win the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, but he also beat the one driver that Denny Hamlin had said on his podcast McDowell would not beat.
Yeah, McDowell went out and proved Hamlin wrong by winning the race over runner-up Chase Elliott.
Hamlin and McDowell started a little beef on social media when Hamlin shared a clip from his podcast "Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin" a few weeks back. Hamlin went as far as to say he would bet McDowell wasn't going to be able to make the playoffs over Elliott. McDowell was quick with a response to that post.
"I'll take that bet (Denny Hamlin). Pull up total points scored on road courses with the NextGen car. I think we got a good shot at it," McDowell responded.
I?ll take that bet @dennyhamlin Pull up total points scored on road courses with the NextGen car. I think we got a good shot at it.
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) August 1, 2023
Hamlin had a response of his own, telling McDowell to go out and prove him wrong.
"Prove me wrong!! LFG," Hamlin said.
Well, McDowell certainly went out a proved him wrong, as he not only was able to win the Verizon 200 but did so in quite a dominant fashion.
McDowell certainly called his own shot, and what a time to deliver on his promise to Hamlin. It has been quite the topic for the last few weeks, and what Hamlin said clearly rubbed McDowell the wrong way. He addressed that in his post-race press conference.
?Prove me wrong,? said Denny Hamlin.
?Planning on it,? said Michael McDowell.
Sunday, it happened. pic.twitter.com/0s0yHznm93
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) August 14, 2023
Not only did McDowell prove Hamlin wrong, it resulted in McDowell making an appearance on the next episode of "Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin." That episode will likely be one to hear.
Great road course racer. ?
Even better podcast guest. ??Actions Detrimental with @dennyhamlin, @jareddallen, and special guest @mc_driver, is out now!
Listen below?
Apple: https://t.co/yWSE7hTRMS
Spotify: https://t.co/JhWd88IFsE
Web: https://t.co/Bifc95zRhQ pic.twitter.com/0CgpH4UR38— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) August 14, 2023
McDowell's win just makes the battle for the final three playoff spots that much spicier heading to Watkins Glen. Elliott, who finished second behind McDowell on Sunday, was getting a lot of "support" from Hamlin on his podcast and might need Hamlin to start doubting him if he wants to win to make the playoffs.
Maybe Elliott needs to call his own shot. It worked for McDowell; surely Elliott can pull it off.
