Lakeland: Michael McDowell race report

LONG DAY AT LAKELAND FOR McDOWELL

LAKELAND, FL (Mar. 24, 2007) -- Michael McDowell drove his Z-Line Designs, Make a Wish Eddie Sharp Racing Beck Dodge from a seventh place starting position to third before breaking a transmission on lap 153 during the ARCA Construct Corp-PBG 250 at the USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL.

"After testing for two days down here, we really felt as though we have a shot to win this thing," said McDowell. "The Z-Line Designs, Make A Wish Beck Dodge is wicked fast and drives very comfortably. Crew chief Patrick Donahue and ESR boys gave me a great car for this race".

McDowell, who was making the seventh ARCA RE/MAX Series start of his career qualified the car solidly in the top-10 and made his way patiently to the Top-5 by lap 123. Just 25 laps later, McDowell slid into third place and ran down the leaders. During a restart on lap 153, the # 2 ESR Beck Dodge lost fourth gear in the transmission. After multiple pit stops to seek repairs, McDowell returned to the racetrack in the 21st position on lap 167.

"We were really coming to the front in a hurry just before we broke," said McDowell. "The car would not go into fourth gear after that restart. After that, we rode around in third gear against the rev limiter".

McDowell finished in the 18th position, four laps down.

It is a disappointing result, and it doesn't show the effort that we put in here today," said McDowell. "I'm confident in our efforts and really look forward to Nashville".

The next race for McDowell and the #2 Z-Line Designs ESR Beck Dodge is the Nashville ARCA 150 at the Nashville Superspeedway in Nashville, TN.

McDowell now sits sixth in ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship points just 20 points out of fifth and 85 points from the lead.

-credit: esr