Michael McDowell says NASCAR 'wanted to drug test him' after most embarrassing wreck

Michael McDowell has opened up on the most embarrassing moment of his NASCAR career to date.

The incident took place at Richmond in 2015, and you might already know what it was if you've been watching the sport for long enough. Yes, it's the time he ran into the safety truck under caution.

The 553-start Cup Series veteran was late in a tough season driving the Leavine Family Racing No. 95 car when the incident took place, damaging his car and ending his day in truly embarrassing fashion.

McDowell told The Athletic's Jeff Gluck that he thinks NASCAR wanted to drug test him when they called him to the hauler after the wreck 'just to make sure I was all there', so bizarre was the incident.

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McDowell: It's not like I was eating a sandwich!

Asked for a memory he laughs about now that wasn't funny at the time, he dived straight into the Richmond story, explaining that a combination elements combined for the bizarre moment.

"I’ve had plenty of embarrassing moments that I wish didn’t happen," he said, "like running into the safety truck at Richmond. I was in the No. 95. We were pulling onto pit road.

"Danica (Patrick) was right in front of me and she missed the safety truck at the last minute. I was looking down at my dash and there were lead-lap cars pulling up to pit on my inside.

"And I just nailed the safety truck. It was the most embarrassing moment ever. It was genuinely a mistake; it’s not like I was eating a sandwich or not paying attention. There was just so much happening, and I look up and – bam! – it’s right there. Things happen fast, even under caution.

"But it looked ridiculous. NASCAR called me to the hauler afterward; I think they wanted to drug test me just to make sure I was all there. Mike Helton was just like, 'What in the hell were you doing?' …

"At the time, I definitely wasn’t laughing. And I probably still wouldn’t laugh today. But maybe 10 years, I’ll laugh at it."