Illinois: Michael McDowell race report

McDowell a runner-up in dirt debut ARCA title contender scores second place finish at Springfield SPRINGFIELD, IL (August 21, 2007) - Apparently Michael McDowell doesn't mind getting down and dirty. Case in point: McDowell's recent foray at the ...

McDowell a runner-up in dirt debut
ARCA title contender scores second place finish at Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, IL (August 21, 2007) - Apparently Michael McDowell doesn't mind getting down and dirty. Case in point: McDowell's recent foray at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the first of two annual mud-slinging exhibitions on the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule.

Rain washed away any time trial efforts for the race, forcing the field to start the race based on point standings. McDowell, second in series points, lined up on the outside of the front row.

The Eddie Sharp Racing team pitted McDowell's No. 2 Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge on lap 13. McDowell ran the rest of the 100-lap event on one set of tires, following Frank Kimmel to the finish line in second place.

The strong finish in such a unique style of racing left McDowell smiling afterwards:

"Bring on DuQuoin!," exclaimed McDowell, referring to ARCA's next dirt track race. "Wow. That was a blast out there. To finish second to Frank Kimmel here has to be considered a win for us. I've really got to credit everyone at Eddie Sharp Racing for unloading such a great car. Patrick (Donahue, crew chief) and I have never raced dirt, so this will look good on both of our resumes.

"We more than likely had the second- best car here this weekend. We accomplished exactly what we needed to do."

McDowell now trails Kimmel by 95 points in the ARCA RE/MAX Series standings; however, he's not concerned. This coming weekend's race at the Milwaukee Mile has McDowell licking his chops:

"Milwaukee will be a good weekend for us. We're realistic-we knew we may not gain on Frank here at Springfield and that's fine. We're going to go to Milwaukee fully focused on getting a pole and a win and narrowing that gap."

Up Next: On Sunday, August 26, Michael McDowell and Eddie Sharp Racing will travel to West Allis, Wisconsin for one of ARCA's most heralded races, the Governor's Cup 200 at the Milwaukee Mile.