Starting from the 6th position, McDowell rolled off the starting grid in anticipation of the green flag. When the green flag flew, the Daytona Prototype field screamed down the front stretch and began winding their way around the 2.45-mile road course.
Unfortunately six laps into the contest, the 76 car entered into a corner on the inside and made contact with the 12 car spinning it out. As the 12 car spun it clipped the inside rear of the No. 19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms Ford-Powered machine causing McDowell to spin out of control. When the car came to a complete stop McDowell climbed from the cockpit and began conversing with his teammates regarding the damage. As McDowell was taken to the infield medical center for a routine checkup, the crew of the No. 19 began making repairs to the popular black and orange machine.
With approximately 50 minutes remaining in the 2-hour time limit race, the No. 19 machine returned to competition with Memo Gidley behind the wheel. With the team's race all but finished, the Mooresville, NC-based team knew how important it was to finish the race. With such a close Championship battle every position counts and by rejoining the battle the team was able to pick up a few more track positions. |
The team will now take the No. 19 machine back to the Mooresville shop and make the necessary repairs to get the Playboy/Uniden/Palms sponsored machine into race ready condition before heading out west for the final two races of the 2006 season.
The team can next be seen competing at Infineon Raceway on August 26th, just a few miles from Memo Gidley's home.
Race Quotes: Memo Gidley - "It's unfortunate that Colin Braun caused the accident that damaged our car and sent us back to the garage. Considering the rear was knocked off and it was missing some body work when I returned to competition we were able to run competitive lap times. If it wasn't for that accident we could have finished in the top-five for sure."
Michael McDowell - "We had a really good car it was just unfortunate that the 76 car didn't show more patience in the early stages of the race. The guys did a great job making major repairs, getting us back on track to gain valuable points. |
PREVIOUSLY:
WATKINS GLEN II QUALIFYING
MICHAEL PUTS THE 19 CAR ON THE 3RD ROW FOR TOMORROW’S CROWN ROYAL 200
WATKINS GLEN, NY (August 10, 2006) - Qualifying for tomorrow’s running of the Crown Royal 200 at the Glen took place earlier today. The No. 19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms machine driven by Memo Gidley and Michael McDowell posted the sixth quickest time during qualifying and will start from row three. |
The team unloaded off the truck and practiced consistently in the top-ten during all three scheduled practice sessions. Memo Gidley and Michael McDowell split the practices but when it came time for qualifying the young talented McDowell was given the job.
With only 15 minutes to work with, McDowell powered down his Ford engine and immediately jumped into the third position. As the second group prepared to take to the 3.4 - mile road course at Watkins Glen International Raceway, McDowell and Gidley sat back and watched wondering where they would end up. At the drop of the checkered flag, signaling the end of the qualifying session, the Finlay Motorsports team found themselves well within the top-10 (6th). With eleven races in the record book, Gidey and McDowell will attempt to pick up their first victory ofthe season tomorrow night when the green flag drops. With an impressive nine top-10 finishes to date the team is well overdo and ready for the competition. Green flag action can be seen on the Speed Channel at 9:00 p.m. ET. |
Qualifying Quotes:
 Memo Gidley - "We were pretty happy with the car when we unloaded today but the track's built up a lot of grip sowe’ve got a little work to do before tomorrow nights race. We didn’t quite qualify where we hoped to be but we’re confident that we’ll be able to get the Playboy/Uniden backup to speed tonight."
 Michael McDowell - "The car isn’t quite where it needs to be but we’ll get there. I really enjoy these events where we practice and qualify in the same day, it keeps things interesting and there’s never a dull moment. As for the race, we’ve got a good consistent car and if all goes well we should be able pull off a podium."
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WATKINS GLEN II PRE-RACE
GIDLEY AND MCDOWELL LOOK TOWARDS THE PODIUM AT THE GLEN
MOORESVILLE, NC (August 8, 2006) - With eleven races in the record book, the Finlay Motorsports team have scored an impressive nine top-10 finishes thus far the season. The No. 19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms Ford-Powered Daytona Prototype machine driven by Memo Gidley and Michael McDowell currently sits in fourth position in the Grand American Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve team point standings, a mere 13 points from taking over the third spot currently held by the 01 machine. |
Probably one of the most consistent teams in the Daytona Prototype class, the team would like nothing more than to score their first win of the 2006 season Friday night on the 3.4-mile road course at Watkins Glen International Raceway.
"Watkins Glen is one of my favorite tracks," said Michael McDowell. "We had a pretty good run earlier this summer but we really need to step it up this week. The championship is still pretty close and we're closing in on the last three races of the season so now is the time to go for the gold."
The Crown Royal 200 at the Glen will mark the fourth race in three weeks for one of Grand American's young guns, Michael McDowell. Scoring a win in the Grand Am Cup Series at Barber Motorsports Park on Saturday, July 29 followed by a sixth place finish in the Daytona Prototype race on Sunday. McDowell and Rob Finlay then headed North to compete again in the Grand Am Cup Series where the duo scored another podium finish in Trois-Rivieres.
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With McDowell in Canada, Memo Gidley spent his weekend off racing his jet ski around Lake Norman. Given Thursday's hectic schedule, with practice beginning at 11:00 a.m. and qualifying taking place that afternoon, the Mooresville, NC - based team will need to be on their "A game" this week.
"I am so excited for Watkins Glen," said Memo Gidley. I'm really a fan of high speed corners and the short track at the Glen definitely has a few of those. As for the speed of the car, we were really fast at the last Watkins Glen race and just got caught out with the rain and tire choices. Other than that the Playboy/Uniden prototype has been running really fast. A number of my family members, including my sister and her husband, the actor who played "Shooter McGavinn" in Happy Gilmore will be there cheering us on so I'm really looking forward to that."
The Crown Royal 200 at the Glen is slated for a 6:30 p.m. green flag start on Friday, August 11th. The race can be viewed on the Speed Channel at 9:00 p.m. ET that evening. Be sure to check your local listings! |
