LONG POND, PA (June 11, 2007) – Chalk it up to either good luck or dumb luck. Either way, after a stretch of bad luck, it looks as if some good fortune has landed in the lap of Michael McDowell and Eddie Sharp Racing.
After a practice session that left the team scratching their heads, the only thing that McDowell could do was race hard and hope for the best. Imagine McDowell’s surprise when his Dodge was strong enough to race straight to the front and allow him a 6th place finish in his first ever visit to the treacherous Pocono Raceway.
Coming off of a career-best 2nd place finish at Iowa Speedway, McDowell qualified his Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge in the 10th position with a lap of 55.338 seconds. A starting spot this low was uncharacteristic of the No. 2 ESR stable but that didn’t deter McDowell from putting on a show.
McDowell was up to 4th by lap 23. By lap 46, the rookie was leading at the most difficult track on the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. After leading 13 laps, he relinquished his lead to make his final pit stop for four tires and fuel. Thanks to a less-than-stellar pit stop, he lined up 11th on the re-start and quickly worked his way through the field. While his car was better than expected, he could only grab a 6th place finish, locking down his fifth top-ten finish of 2007. |
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After a practice session that left the team scratching their heads, the only thing that McDowell could do was race hard and hope for the best. Imagine his surprise when his Dodge was strong enough to race straight to the front ... |
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McDowell was optimistic about his maiden Pocono performance:
“It was a strong run today,” said McDowell. “We really didn’t think we had a car that could challenge for the win but we did. The Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge was really fast in clean air, but the pit stops set us back a bit. It’s really unfortunate, but we win as a team and lose as a team. We had a good car and I think we can come back and win with a great car.”
Up Next: Michael McDowell and Eddie Sharp Racing will take on Michigan Speedway on Friday, June 15. |
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"(Pocono) is a new adventure for me. It’s big, it’s fast, and from everything I’ve heard, it’s complex. I like our chances." - Michael McDowell |
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MOORESVILLE, NC (June 7, 2007) – It’s been five months since Michael McDowell tackled a road course. The top-ten finish in a Daytona Prototype was great for the annual 24 Hours of Daytona, but can that tricky up-shift/down-shift skill-set translate to his upcoming ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Pocono Raceway? Conventional wisdom says no way; however, veteran racers suggest the contrary. Either way, the 2.5 mile triangle is quite possibly the most perplexing venue on the ARCA schedule.
McDowell comes to Long Pond, Pennsylvania fresh off of a come-from-behind runner-up finish at Iowa Speedway that left ARCA fans wanting more. He thinks his No. 2 Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge is up to the task:
“(Pocono) is a new adventure for me,” admitted McDowell. “It’s big, it’s fast, and from everything I’ve heard, it’s complex. I like our chances. Every car that Eddie Sharp Racing has put onto the track this year has been fast. We fully intend to keep that streak going.”
Lack of speed isn’t a problem for McDowell; he leads the ARCA RE/MAX Series in laps led (258) and has shown no signs of slowing down. Still, Pocono Raceway is considered a thinking man’s track and McDowell says he’s ready to use his cerebral cortex just as much as his right foot:
“It will be a chess match, for sure. A lot of road racing tendencies are transferred over to a track like this, where shifting is a priority. It’s quite an accomplishment to win at Pocono, so to go out there, lead laps, and come home with a win would be quite a statement.”
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Taming the track is one thing, but beating a strong field, one that includes NASCAR Cup Series regulars Johnny Sauter and Paul Menard is another. Always the competitor, McDowell welcomes the competition:
“Bring it. They’re very talented, which is why they’re in the big leagues. I’m glad that they want to come in and run with us. Racing against guys of their talent level forces me to adjust and ultimately become a better driver. But our team is good too and I know we’ve got something for them.
For more information on Michael McDowell, visit www.mmcdowell.com.
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| Pocono 200 |
| Date: |
Saturday, June 9, 2007 |
| Track: |
Pocono Raceway (Long Pond, PA) |
| Race Distance: |
80 Laps (200 miles) |
| Team: |
Eddie Sharp Racing |
| Crew Chief: |
Patrick Donahue |
| The Pocono 200 will air live on SPEED at 1 pm. Tune in and catch a pre-race feature starring McDowell. |
McFACTS:
> While he has never raced at Pocono Raceway, the track’s comparisons to a road course are to his advantage: McDowell has scored wins at two road courses in sports car competition: Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA and Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
> McDowell currently leads all ARCA competitors in laps led (258).
> He is currently 5th in the ARCA standings following his 2nd place finish at Iowa and six points off of the lead in the series’ Rookie of the Year standings.
> McDowell leads the series in poles, current looking for his fifth ARCA SIM Factory Pole Award. |
