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Photo: J. Dennewitz
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RACE REPORT
McDOWELL EARNS CAREER-BEST THIRD FOR ESR AT SALEM
Rookie also takes home first ever Pole Award
SALEM, IN (April 21, 2007) - Salem Speedway is usually a treacherous track that requires years of experience in hopes of success. Of course, if you're Michael McDowell, that theory doesn't apply.
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"Looking at the big picture, it was a great points day for us ." |
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McDowell put up career-best numbers on the weekend at Salem, earning his first career ARCA RE/MAX Series pole and earning a personal-best third-place finish in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts. It was only his second race at the track.
McDowell's pole-winning lap of 17.794 seconds around the .555 mile oval was a culmination of strong performances in testing and peak times in practice, placing his No. 2 Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge first atop the scoring pylon. With his first career Pole Award in-hand, McDowell looked forward to a stellar Sunday afternoon drive.
From the drop of the green flag, McDowell was fast leading the race's first 56 laps. The No. 2 Dodge was the class of the field throughout the day on long runs, but unfortunately, extended green flag runs gave way to short dashes in between caution flags.
The No. 29 car of Brian Keselowski proved tough on short runs and soon took the lead from McDowell. While he was in contention for the win the entire 200 laps, McDowell needed a different set-up on his Dodge if he was going to catch Keselowski.
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With crew chief Patrick Donahue atop the pit box, the Eddie Sharp Racing crew tightened the Dodge up in hopes of transforming his car from a distance-runner to a sprinter. The adjustment didn't hurt the car's standing but it didn't offer any challenge to Keselowski. McDowell settled for a career-best third-place finish.
"This is probably one of the hardest tracks we go to," stated McDowell. "It's good for Eddie Sharp Racing to run up front because we haven't had a whole lot of luck on the season. The car was good, not sure if it would have been able to catch (Keselowski) but it was fast all weekend."
"Looking at the big picture, it was a great points day for us. We now know what we're capable of and feel like we have a lot of momentum going forward to Kansas."
The third-place finish puts McDowell in 6th in the ARCA point standings through four races.
McDowell also brought home the Accel Fast Lap of the Race Award and was the race's highest-finishing rookie competitor.
Up Next: McDowell and Eddie Sharp Racing travel to Kansas Speedway in Kansas City on Friday, April 27 for the Kansas Lottery $150 Grand.
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QUALIFYING REPORT
McDOWELL ON POLE
McDowell on a Mission at Salem; Dominates Practice & Earns Career-1st Pole
SALEM, IN (April 21, 2007) - ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Michael McDowell, in Eddie Sharp's Z Line-Make A Wish-Beck Dodge, is clearly on a mission. |
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"..this is going to be the start of some really big things." |
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After posting the quickest speed in practice earlier in the day, the Phoenix, Arizona driver backed that up by earning the pole position Saturday afternoon at Salem Speedway for Sunday's Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts. McDowell qualified with an average speed of 112.285 mph. It was his career-first ARCA RE/MAX Series pole award. |
"This is my first career pole in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, and it's great to be able to do it here at Salem," said McDowell. "This is my second race I've ever done here. Last year I think I qualified 22nd. To come back here a year later with Eddie Sharp Racing and get the pole is very rewarding. Patrick Donahue (crew chief) did a great job setting up the car. The car is absolutely awesome. I think this is going to be the start of some really big things."
McDowell is now the fourth different pole winner in four events so far on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series tour. |
RACE PREVIEW
McDOWELL, ESR READY FOR SHORT TRACK ACTION
McDowell's confidence, ESR's performance cause for optimism
MOORESVILLE, NC (April 17, 2007) - Forgive Michael McDowell if he's confident about his return to Salem Speedway. After all, he finished 6th last year in his first visit to the track and returned earlier this year for a successful test session with team Eddie Sharp Racing. |
With experience in his back pocket and the checkered flag in his sights, McDowell hopes to capitalize on his confidence.
McDowell and the No. 2 Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge takes to the .555 mile Southern Indiana oval on Sunday, April 22, 2007 for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts, the fourth race of the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series season.
While McDowell and his Eddie Sharp Racing team have been strong in each of the season's first three performances, their recent bout of bad luck has overshadowed their overall performance:
"We've been really fast the last three races," explained McDowell. "At Lakeland we were running 3rd with 50 laps to go and then we broke a shift linkage and at Nashville we were 3rd with 17 (laps) to go before cutting a right front tire. We've been in contention to finish in the top-five and in contention to win. Coming off our test at Salem, we're positive that we can get to the front and stay there. We need some good luck to fall into place, but this team and these cars have been very good and we have every right to be confident going into this weekend."
Qualifying takes place Saturday, April 21 at 12:30 pm. The green flag drops on race day (Sunday) at 2:15 pm.
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"..we have every right to be confident this weekend." |
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RACE:
Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts
Date: April 22, 2007
Track: Salem Speedway (Salem, IN)
Race Distance: 200 Laps (111 miles)
Team: Eddie Sharp Racing
Crew Chief: Patrick Donahue
McFACTS:
> McDowell currently is tied for 10th place in the ARCA RE/MAX Series standings.
> In last year's ARCA Fall Classic at Salem Speedway, McDowell started 22nd and finished 6th as only twelve cars finished on the lead lap.
> In the ARCA RE/MAX Series' first short track race of the year (Lakeland), McDowell was 7th quick in qualifying and finished 18th.
> McDowell has scored four top-ten finishes in the last six races. |
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