PHOENIX, AZ (May 12, 2006) - The Grand American Series held the third qualifying
race of the season under the lights at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this
evening and Michael McDowell proved that consistency does pay off.
McDowell, who was born in Phoenix, started the Gainsco Grand Prix qualifying race
in the fifth position and knew how important it would be to bring the No.19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms
machine home safely. Powering down the front straightaway and into turn one, McDowell
quickly settled into the 30-minute scheduled race pace.
The popular orange and black machine continued to run in the top-five until a multi-car
incident in turn six brought out the caution flag. On the restart, McDowell kept
his cool and was able to bring the No.19 Daytona Prototype machine home in the sixth
position. |
Tonight's qualifying race pushed the Mooresville,
North Carolina-based team into the points lead heading into tomorrow's running of
the Gainsco Grand Prix. The 250-mile/166-laps/2 3/4 hour time limit race is scheduled
for a 7:00 p.m. start Saturday night and can be viewed on the Speed Channel Monday,
May 14th at 3:00 p.m.
Quotes:
Michael McDowell - "It
turned out to be a good point's race for us tonight. We were able to bring the Playboy/Uniden
machine home safely and pick up the team points lead. We just need to make a few
improvements on the car and we should be pretty good for the race tomorrow evening." |
