McDowell was on his way to a top 30 finish, but his efforts were derailed in the final laps when his Toyota Camry ran out of fuel approaching Lap 304.

"There at the end we were going pretty good making up some spots and then we ran out of fuel and couldn't restart the car right away," McDowell said. "It hurt us. We worked really hard to make up a bunch of ground and unfortunately we lost it there at the end."

The Glendale, Ariz., native started the race 29th while quickly facing handling problems, which allowed the leader to eventually catch him at Lap 97 and place him a lap down.
"We struggled there at the beginning of the race, which is really tough because once you get a lap down it's almost impossible to get it back," McDowell said.

At Lap 111, the Aaron's Dream Machine team called McDowell to pit road for service under green. A lap or two later, the caution flag waved pinning McDowell another lap down.

"A yellow came out right after we pitted and we lost another lap," McDowell said. "So, that really killed our day. You fight hard the rest of the day, but you're only racing two or three cars on your lap."

After McDowell's top 35 finish, he is now 29th in the owner points standings guaranteeing him a starting position in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 27th.

Photo: Autostock

McDowell is expecting better results in his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superspeedway race with Michael Waltrip Racing and Aaron's.

"We are so much better than where we finished in our first three races together and we don't' ever want to finish 30 something again," McDowell said. "I want us to leave Talladega with recognition for having a strong finish in the Aaron's 499. We are capable of doing that."

Live coverage of the Aaron's 499 begins at 1:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX and 2 p.m. Eastern on MRN Radio.

PRACTICE 3 UPDATE
McDOWELL 20TH IN FINAL PRACTICE

PHOENIX, AZ. (April 11, 2008) - Posting his best practice result yet in his short but eventfull NASCAR Sprint Cup career, rookie Michael McDowell was 20th in Practice 3 at Phoenix International Raceway tonight.

Michael will start the No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry 29th at Saturday night's race.

Photo: Autostock

PHOENIX, AZ. (April 10, 2008) - Finally back in the driver's seat after a whirlwind of media appearances following his eventful experience at Texas Motor Speedway last week, Michael McDowell qualified the No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry 29th for Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

McDowell's Michael Waltrip Racing teammates slotted just ahead of the rookie with David Reutimann 26th and Team Owner Michael Waltrip 28th. In the first practice session earlier in the day, Reutimann ran 15th, McD 33rd and Waltrip 34th.

PREVIEW
McDOWELL TAKES OFF IN F-16 FALCON BEFORE PHOENIX CUP RACE

GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 9, 2008) - This week is a special homecoming for Michael McDowell as he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to take flight in an F-16 Falcon today thanks to the 56th Fighter Wing and Phoenix International Raceway at Luke Air Force Base.

McDowell

McDowell will go through Egress training and participate in a media event at Luke Air Force Base before taking off with Capt. Thomas "Wild Bill" Juntunen, 310th FS instructor pilot.

After his flight, McDowell departs for Phoenix International Raceway to prepare for his third career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. This weekend he wants to fly under the radar and only receive recognition for posting a strong finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500.

"I don't want to become famous because I had a big wreck or an altercation on the track," McDowell said. "I want to be known for doing a good job on the track and this weekend that's what we are aiming to do."

Live coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event begins at 8 p.m. Eastern on FOX and 8:30 p.m. Eastern on MRN Radio.