MICHAEL WALTRIP WATCHES HIS DRIVERS
McDOWELL AND WISE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP WITH TESTING
CORNELIUS, N.C. (December 14, 2007) - Michael Waltrip is keeping a close watchful eye on his up and coming drivers as they begin a variety of test sessions to stay fresh for the 2008 season.
Both Michael McDowell and Josh Wise are awaiting their future plans to be divulged by Michael Waltrip Racing. In the mean time, this week the two will be turning laps in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars at both Caraway Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway.
As McDowell heads to Caraway with the No. 00 Toyota Camry team for a brake test, Wise leaves for the 1.33-mile D-shaped Nashville oval to log some laps in the No. 44 UPS Toyota Camry during a shock test.
“This is a chance for me to get back in the seat and turn some laps in a Cup car with Michael Waltrip Racing,” Wise said. “We are going to Nashville and one of our many objectives is to test our shocks. Any time you can climb back into a car, it’s a good feeling. I know we will learn a lot and have a good time working together.”
Wise made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut this season at Kansas Speedway with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, which led to a total of nine races for the Riverside-Calif. native. Wise finished in the top-10 twice earning his career-best finish of sixth-place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wise also made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park in July and posted a top-20 finish driving for Fitz Motorsports. The 2006 USAC National Sprint Car Series champion dabbled in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and scored a second-place finish three times in as many races driving for Eddie Sharp Racing. He also earned his first career pole at Gateway International Raceway in the #22 entry.
“I ran some Truck and ARCA races this season and learned great deal,” Wise said. “I only wish we could have had the chance to race more, but I am grateful for the races we were able to run. I would like to thank Michael Waltrip, Darrell Waltrip and Eddie Sharp because they gave me the best equipment and we had respectable finishes together.”
As Wise had new-found success quickly in ARCA RE/MAX with a very limited schedule, it was a breakout year for McDowell and Eddie Sharp Racing as they ran the schedule in its entirety. In 23 starts, McDowell recorded the most wins with four, posted 11 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes en route to finishing second in the points standings to Championship regular Frank Kimmel. McDowell was also the recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award, the Stewart Warner Lap Leader Award, SIM Factory Pole Award and Toledo Speedway’s Accel Fastest Lap of the Race Award.
“This season has been amazing and to have the success we did in the ARCA RE/MAX Series is a dream come true for me,” said McDowell. “It opened the door to an opportunity with Michael Waltrip Racing. This week, I am able to test a Cup car for them and there are not a lot of people in the world that get that kind of chance. I am really grateful.”
McDowell’s recognition in the ARCA RE/MAX Series led to his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports in October. The following month, the Phoenix-Ariz. native made his NASCAR Busch Series debut with Michael Waltrip Racing in which he earned a respectable top-20 finish at Texas Motor Speedway. During the next NASCAR Busch Series race with Michael Waltrip Racing, he collected his best career finish of 14th at Phoenix International Raceway. McDowell made a total of three starts and wrapped up the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“Not only did I run a full season in ARCA, I also raced in the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series for both Michael and Darrell Waltrip,” McDowell said. “It gave me the chance to learn a lot about both Series and how to adapt quickly. I’m looking forward to testing this week and to next season. I’m excited about what my future holds at MWR.” |
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And what a terrific season it was.
While McDowell's year was one for the record books, it didn't get off to a blazing start. The Phoenix, Arizona native notched just two top-ten finishes in the first seven races; however, April's race at Salem Speedway kicked off what would be a trend for McDowell on the season. He captured his first career ARCA SIM Factory Pole Award en route to a third place finish. In the same seven-race stretch, he collected poles at Winchester and Kentucky.
The May 20th race from Toledo Speedway served as a turning point for McDowell-after scoring the pole, he dominated the event, leading 59 laps and threw down a late race rally that included passing ARCA legend Frank Kimmel and NASCAR winner Ken Schrader (through the infield grass). What looked like a sure-fire win ended when McDowell and ESR teammate Ken Butler III tangled in turn one. McDowell settled for seventh but the performance garnered national acclaim for the 22 year-old driver: multiple wins and a championship hunt were easily within his reach.
With a win in his crosshairs, McDowell ripped off finishes of 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 2nd in the next four races and picked up his fifth pole of the season at Berlin Raceway.
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2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year Michael McDowell won four races and nine poles, finishing second in the points. |
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McDowell and ESR returned to Kentucky Speedway in July with intentions of winning at a track where a win eluded him earlier in the season. After qualifying 2nd, McDowell paced the field for 68 laps and the eventual win. His first victory in stock cars opened the flood gates for more checkered flags.
In the very next race, Jeremy Clements' feast was McDowell's famine. At Pocono Raceway, McDowell whizzed by Clements, who was running out of gas, on the last lap to score win number two. With a second triumph in his back pocket, McDowell started to set his sights on the ARCA championship and reigning ARCA titlist Frank Kimmel.
In the next five races, McDowell scored three top-five finishes, including a runner-up finish at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the first dirt track event of his young career, and also collected two more poles at Nashville and Milwaukee.
In August, McDowell tamed Chicagoland Speedway, winning the 200-mile event after claiming another pole and leading a race-high 98 laps. His championship aspirations grew stronger, climbing to second in series points behind Kimmel.
While McDowell fought to stay in the championship fight, Kimmel was flawless in the stretch run of races, picking up wins at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the Milwaukee Mile. In the final three events, Kimmel fought off advances from McDowell and ESR. The championship may have been decided but one final run to the history books was in the works for McDowell and Co.
A third place finish at Salem Speedway and a DNF at Talladega preceded an exciting season finale at Toledo. McDowell not only claimed his ninth pole of 2007, but out-dueled James Buescher in the race's final ten laps to claim his fourth win of the season.
McDowell finished second in the season's point standings and was named the ARCA RE/MAX Series' Rookie of the Year. In addition, he brought home the Stewart Warner Lap Leader Award (most laps led in the series) and five Holley Halfway Leader Awards.
"This was an exciting year, for which I am grateful," said McDowell. "I couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere this year. Eddie Sharp and the entire ESR organization were unbelievable. Working with Patrick Donahue helped me better adjust to stock cars and the whole team made this feel like home. I had a great group of sponsors in Z-Line Designs, Make-A-Wish, Mission Residential, Lotame, Beck, and Dodge that allowed for all of the success that came with this season. I'll miss working with everyone here but I'll cherish the memories we created. It was one of the best years of my life and the most exciting year of my racing career.
"But without the support of Rob Finlay none of this would have been possible. From the beginning of our relationship, Rob has supported me on all levels and has given me an opportunity that otherwise would of not been possible." |
