“This was another track I have not raced at before and it was the longest race of the season,” McDowell said. “I’m continuing to learn, but I really want us to have better finishes.”
After starting 40th, McDowell advanced to 28th place by Lap 27. Before his first green flag pit stop of the night at Lap 51, McDowell went a lap down to leader Brian Vickers.
“We were tight center off, but after we put on four tires and made adjustments we were a little free,” McDowell said. “After pitting for fuel on our next stop (Lap 63), we were bad loose in traffic. I thought we might have to tighten up the car a little, but it went back to the tight side. Once you go a lap down, it’s hard to make it up.”
"Approaching Lap 300, it was wrecking loose when anyone was behind me... "
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While running in 35th place, Bill Pappas called McDowell to pit road on Lap 111 for another green flag stop.
“The guys put on four tires and made a tire pressure adjustment, but after that, the Aaron’s Dream Machine was too tight center off,” McDowell said. “We kept making stops to find a good balance.”
Still at Lap 148, McDowell was fighting tight handling conditions as the team continued to work on the car. After coming to pit road for tires and changes at Lap 161, McDowell had to return six laps later.
“We were trying to avoid a wreck and locked up the tires so we decided to come in and put on fresh ones,” McDowell said.
After repeated cautions, McDowell restarted 36th on Lap 187.
“We needed to be freed up,” McDowell said. “The Aaron’s Dream Machine was real tight behind other cars.”
On Lap 193, the Glendale, Ariz.-native made contact with the inside retaining wall.
“We had a right front flat tire and some damage to the rear quarter panel and back bumper,” McDowell said. “They made repairs, taped it up and put on tires.”
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The Aaron’s Dream Machine went from one side of the pendulum to the other and at Lap 262 in 32nd position; McDowell’s car was loose in traffic.
“Approaching Lap 300, it was wrecking loose when anyone was behind me,” McDowell said. “The car pretty much stayed free from then on out. We finished 32nd in the end. We’ll move on to Dover.”
McDowell is continuing to learn. His confidence and the ability to win is something McDowell has always possessed and that is what attracted MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) to signing him to finish out the season in the No. 00 Toyota.
“When we recognized Michael last year in the ARCA series, he was winning poles, races, and leading all the laps,” said Ty Norris. “It was his first year in stock cars, so that’s what attracted us to him. We wanted him in our camp, and we wanted him right away. We wanted to have him and get him signed up with our company long term.”
McDowell’s teammate David Reutimann earned his first career top 10 finish (tenth) in the No. 44 UPS Toyota Camry and Michael Waltrip finished 27th in his No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
This week following a two-day test at Pocono Raceway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Dover International Speedway. Live coverage of the event will air on FOX at 1:30 p.m. ET and 1:15 p.m. on MRN Radio.
MWR COCA-COLA 600 RESULTS
Lowe's Motor Speedway |
| FIN |
ST |
CAR |
DRIVER |
LAPS |
STATUS |
| 10 |
28 |
44 |
Reutimann |
400 |
RUNNING |
| 27 |
29 |
55 |
Waltrip |
397 |
RUNNING |
| 32 |
40 |
00 |
McDowell |
395 |
RUNNING |
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PREVIEW
AARON’S RETURNS TO SPONSOR MCDOWELL FOR COCA-COLA 600
"There is a test session scheduled for me every week the whole month of June," McDowell said. "When Michael Waltrip Racing said that they were going to ramp up testing, they meant it."
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CORNELIUS, N.C. (May 21, 2008) – Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership has signed on for primary sponsorship of the No. 00 Toyota Camry for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with Michael McDowell.
"Aaron’s is an incredible sponsor and they continue to effectively activate their sponsorship in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series," McDowell said. "They believe in Michael Waltrip Racing and David (Reutimann) is giving them a run for their money in the Nationwide Series. He is fourth in the championship standings and would probably be leading the thing if he hadn’t ran into some problems earlier this season. We’re hoping for solid results this weekend on both sides."
McDowell turned his first laps at the 1.5-mile quad oval during a NASCAR test a couple weeks ago.
"I’m glad we were able to test because I need all the track time I can get," McDowell said. "At least now I have an idea of what to expect. It would have been neat to compete in the Sprint Showdown to gain experience. Of course, most all of these tracks are new to me. I’m kind of looking forward to going to places like Pocono Raceway in a few weeks and Chicagoland Speedway in July. I won at both of those tracks driving for Eddie Sharp Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series last year."
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Since testing Lowe’s Motor Speedway, McDowell hasn’t slowed down. On Friday, he tested at Rockingham (North Carolina Speedway) and Monday he turned laps at Nashville Superspeedway. On Wednesday, he travels to Road Atlanta with David Reutimann and then tests at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) the first week of June. The following week he is at the Milwaukee Mile for a two-day test.
"There is a test session scheduled for me every week the whole month of June," McDowell said. "When Michael Waltrip Racing said that they were going to ramp up testing, they meant it. Not only are they testing with me, they are testing with Michael (Waltrip), David and Josh (Wise). We are traveling all over the place in between races."
The month of May has been just as hectic, but there’s one day McDowell managed to keep clear on his schedule.
"Today’s my wife’s birthday," McDowell said. "With the Cup schedule and testing, it’s hard to plan for family time. I wanted to be sure to keep today open to spend it with her."
Live coverage of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25th begins at 5 p.m. Eastern and 5:30 p.m. on PRN Radio. |
