 "I’m really pleased with our performance this weekend," said Michael McDowell. "The guys gave me a great car and we were able to come away with another top-five finish. I learned a great deal about racing in lapped traffic and by the end of the race I had a pretty good feel for passing. This has definitely been a learning curve for me but you have to walk before you can run."
Since joining Eddie Sharp Racing in late August, McDowell has proved to be a quick study, finishing in the top-10 at three of the five ARCA RE/MAX events he participated in. (Talladega – 5th , Salem – 6th and Iowa – 4th )
With limited testing, McDowell managed to jump behind the wheel of an unfamiliar race car, in a new series (ARCA RE/MAX) and compete with the series best drivers. Finishing up front with some of racings most recognized names, Wallace, Kinser and open wheel standout Juan Pablo Montoya to name just a few. |
Once again proving that a road racer can adjust to oval racing and be competitive. Could McDowell be stock car racings next big superstar? Only time will tell, this young racer has chosen to play it smart and learn from experience. The personable McDowell will spend the 2007 racing season competing fulltime in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for the Denver, NC – based Eddie Sharp Racing team.
"I would really like to thank Rob Finlay and Eddie Sharp Racing for giving me this opportunity," said McDowell. "I’ve been given the chance of a lifetime and I plan on making the most of it. I’ve learned a great deal these last few months and hope to take the momentum into next season. I’m really looking forward to going after the rookie of the year honors, winning some races and who knows maybe even going after the Championship."
During the off season, McDowell will spend his time preparing for the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and maybe even make a cameo appearance behind the wheel of a Daytona Prototype machine for the prestigious Rolex 24 Hour event. |
IOWA PRE-RACE
MCDOWELL LOOKS TO CONTINUE ARCA SUCCESS AT IOWA SPEEDWAY
MOORESVILLE, NC (October 13, 2006) - Coming off an impressive top-five finish at Talladega Superspeedway, Michael McDowell looks to continue his recent top-10 streak at the inaugural running of the Prairie Meadows 250 at Rusty Wallace's' Signature Iowa Speedway Sunday afternoon. |
McDowell, a newcomer to the ARCA RE/MAX Series, has competed in four races thus far scoring top-10 finishes at both Salem Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Since making his ARCA debut in August at the Milwaukee Mile, the young talented Charlotte, NC resident has turned a number of heads with his smart yet aggressive racing style. So much, that Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) recently announced that they will partner with McDowell for the 2007 ARCA Remax Series season.
With McDowell's 2007 racing plans set in stone, he turns his focus to the season ending ARCA event at Rusty Wallace's state-of-the-art .875-mile speedway in Newton, Iowa.
"I'm really looking forward to racing on the tri-oval," said Michael McDowell. "I had the opportunity to test at Iowa a few weeks ago and I really like the track, I think the fans are going to see some great two and three wide racing. I've had a great time racing for ESR and I would love to give these guys a podium finish this weekend." |
 The action gets underway on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. when Pork Pole qualifying is scheduled to take place. McDowell will be given two hot laps around the tri-oval in his Z-Line Designs/Southern New Hampshire University Dodge powered machine to determine his starting position for Sunday's running of the Prairie Meadows 250.
The green flag drops at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 15th for the season ending ARCA RE/MAX event. The 250 lap event will be televised live on the Speed Channel at 2:30 p.m. ET, be sure to check your local listings! |
