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MID-OHIO FINAL
THROTTLE CABLE FOILS
MEMO GIDLEY AND MICHAEL MCDOWELL'S DAY AT MID-OHIO
LEXINGTON, OHIO (June 24, 2006)
- The No.19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms
Ford-powered Daytona Prototype qualified seventh for the EMCO Gears Classic but
started from the fourth position after several cars failed technical inspection.
Memo Gidley took the green flag and continued to run towards the front until
experiencing a problem with the throttle. |
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During the first full course yellow, the Mooresville,
NC - based team took advantage of the opportunity and brought the No. 19 machine
into the pits and began to diagnose the problem. Attempting to stay on the lead lap
the crew kept a watchful eye on the leaders while working on the popular black and
orange machine. Unfortunately after several pit stops the team was forced to take
the car back to the garage area and change a throttle cable.
Michael McDowell slid behind the wheel and brought the Playboy/Uniden/Palms
sponsored machine back onto the circuit. Knowing the importance of the championship
points, McDowell continued lapping the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course finishing
the event in the 39th position.
The Finlay Motorsports team will next compete at the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona
International Speedway next Thursday, June 29. |
Driver Quotes:
Memo Gidley - "Unfortunately we had a mechanical problem with the throttle
hanging up. The car was pretty good from the time we unloaded it, we made some changes
throughout the weekend and I'm sure we could have challenged for the win."
Michael McDowell - "The car had a good balance in the race but unfortunately
we had mechanical throttle gremlins. The 19 car guys did a great job getting us back
on the track. Today's race definitely didn't help our points so we're just going
to have to spend the next several races chasing down the 76." |
PREVIOUSLY
MID-OHIO PRE-RACE
GIDLEY AND MCDOWELL SHOOT
FOR PODIUM FINISH AT MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE
MOORESVILLE, NC (June 20, 2006)
- Just past the halfway point
in the 15-race Grand American Rolex Series season, the driving duo of Memo Gidley
and Michael McDowell look to take over the team points lead at the EMCO Gears
Classic. |
Despite a few obstacles, the No.19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms
Daytona Prototype team currently sit in the second position a mere seven points
from taking over the lead. Thus far this season, the Mooresville, NC - based team
has managed to finish in the Top-8 at every single race this season, with the exception
of the Long Beach event where the team rebuilt the No.19 machine from the ground
up following an incident in turn-one involving Memo Gidley during the morning warm
up. Gidley who was forced to sit out three races was back and ready for action at
the Watkins Glen race, finishing the six-hour endurance race in the sixth position.
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Memo
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"I can't wait to hit the Mid-Ohio track
with the Playboy/Uniden/Palms Daytona Prototype," said Memo Gidley. "We
had a great test there a couple of weeks ago and I know the Ford-powered prototype
is going to be just as strong for the race weekend. I've raced at Mid-Ohio several
times in everything from Formula Ford 2000 to Champ Car so I'm very familiar with
the track. But I have to say that last year's DP race was probably the most fun,
there's something about racing into the night. Not to mention that if we have an
epic five car battle at the end of the race like we did last year, it's going to
be a great show for the spectators." |
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Michael
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The Mooresville, NC ñ based team has scored
just outside the Top-3 several times this season, finishing fourth at Homestead,
Virginia international Raceway and Laguna Seca. With that said the Playboy/Uniden/Palms
team wants a spot on top of the podium at this weekend's EMCO Gears Classic.
"We are really looking to get on top of the podium at Mid-Ohio," said Michael
McDowell. "The team's really worked hard and the point's battle is really heating
up so Memo and I would love to score a podium finish for all of them. Mid-Ohio is
one of my favorite tracks and the new pavement is really smooth with good grip so
I'm confident we'll run well this weekend."
The No. 19 Daytona Prototype is slated to participate in an open test on Thursday,
June 22 with practice and qualifying for the weekend's 250-mile/ 2 3/4 - hour time
limit contest beginning on Friday, June 23. The EMCO Gears Classic is scheduled for
a 5:30 p.m. green flag start on Saturday, June 24 and will be televised on
Speed June 25th at 3:00 p.m. ET. |
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