FRM's double DNF in the Clash due to running out of fuel
Front Row Motorsports suffered a double DNF in the exhibition race due to a lack of fuel in the closing laps of the Clash.
The second running of the revamped version of Clash in Los Angeles was slowed by 16 cautions during the 150-lap main event.
On lap 137, Michael McDowell brought out the caution as he attempted to make his way back to the pits, but couldn't quite complete the turn-in.
The reason behind the premature end to his race? The same reason his teammate, Todd Gilliland, fell out of the event soon after. Both the No. 34 and No. 38 Fords ran out of fuel.
McDowell and Gilliland made their way into the main event through the 50-lap last-chance qualifier, with McDowell actually winning his LCQ. That, along with all the caution laps in the main event (which did not count towards the race total), ended with both cars running out before the checkered flag.
The fuel miscalculation proved costly, with Gilliland finishing 23rd, and McDowell 24th.
Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports, gener8tor Skills Ford
Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
"We weren't allowed to refuel after the LCQ," explained Gilliland in his post-race comments. "There were then too many caution laps in The Clash and we ran out of fuel."
Added McDowell: “I don’t know how many laps under caution we ran, but obviously just a calculation running the LCQ and a heat race. We just didn’t anticipate running over 100 laps of caution, so that was unfortunate. It was a battle out there for sure.”
Related video
Bubba Wallace ‘got dumped’ by Austin Dillon in NASCAR Clash
Kyle Busch clarifies Mexico detainment over handgun discovery
Kimi Raikkonen stays out in late NASCAR gamble, but loses out amid chaos
Kimi Raikkonen stays out in late NASCAR gamble, but loses out amid chaos Kimi Raikkonen stays out in late NASCAR gamble, but loses out amid chaos
Button almost stopped due to "heat exhaustion" in NASCAR debut
Button almost stopped due to "heat exhaustion" in NASCAR debut Button almost stopped due to "heat exhaustion" in NASCAR debut
Remembering Alan Kulwicki: NASCAR's tragic maverick champion
Remembering Alan Kulwicki: NASCAR's tragic maverick champion Remembering Alan Kulwicki: NASCAR's tragic maverick champion
Michael McDowell: "There's still a lot to come this year"
Michael McDowell: "There's still a lot to come this year" Michael McDowell: "There's still a lot to come this year"
Former JGR car chief to serve as McDowell's 2022 crew chief
Former JGR car chief to serve as McDowell's 2022 crew chief Former JGR car chief to serve as McDowell's 2022 crew chief
McDowell on Homestead: "We kind of shocked ourselves"
McDowell on Homestead: "We kind of shocked ourselves" McDowell on Homestead: "We kind of shocked ourselves"
Zane Smith takes rain-shortened NASCAR Truck win at Daytona
Zane Smith takes rain-shortened NASCAR Truck win at Daytona Zane Smith takes rain-shortened NASCAR Truck win at Daytona
FRM confirms third Daytona 500 entry and driver lineup shake-up
FRM confirms third Daytona 500 entry and driver lineup shake-up FRM confirms third Daytona 500 entry and driver lineup shake-up
Zane Smith claims Truck title in three-way fight to the finish
Zane Smith claims Truck title in three-way fight to the finish Zane Smith claims Truck title in three-way fight to the finish
Abiteboul plots simulation expansion for Hyundai WRC team
Abiteboul plots simulation expansion for Hyundai WRC team Abiteboul plots simulation expansion for Hyundai WRC team
Marquez won't escape Oliveira MotoGP penalty despite Argentina absence
Marquez won't escape Oliveira MotoGP penalty despite Argentina absence Marquez won't escape Oliveira MotoGP penalty despite Argentina absence
The state of play in F1's technical silly season
The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season
McLaren lands senior Aston F1 aerodynamicist amid aggressive recruitment push
McLaren lands senior Aston F1 aerodynamicist amid aggressive recruitment push McLaren lands senior Aston F1 aerodynamicist amid aggressive recruitment push
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.