Milwaukee: Michael McDowell preview

McDowell returns to scene of ARCA debut
One year later, ARCA rookie comes back to The Milwaukee Mile

MOORESVILLE, NC (August 23, 2007) - Flashback to one year ago: the Governor's Cup 200, a traditional ARCA summer retreat at The Milwaukee Mile, was in full-swing and a wide-eyed young race car driver took his first step in transitioning from road racing to stock cars.

One year later, Michael McDowell is on the cusp of completing one of the best rookie seasons in ARCA RE/MAX Series history. What a difference a year makes.

Since last year at Milwaukee, McDowell, sitting second in the series standings, has posted victories at Kentucky Speedway and Pocono Raceway, claimed six ARCA SIM Factory Pole Awards, headlines the rookie standings, and paces the series in laps led for the season.

McDowell relishes what he and his Eddie Sharp Racing team have accomplished; however, his eyes are on this weekend's return to West Allis, Wisconsin.

"It's been an amazing ride," said McDowell. "We're coming back to where my stock car career started and to say that winning this race and winning this championship are realistic is a lofty statement, but I believe we can do it."

The belief is well-founded: McDowell has put his No. 2 Z-Line Designs / Make-A-Wish / Beck Dodge on the pole at the short tracks of Salem, Winchester, Toledo, and Berlin. A third-place finish at Salem and runner-up finishes at Berlin and last week at Springfield have made the ESR crew antsy for the Arizona's native first short track victory.

McDowell hopes he can deliver.

"Yeah, I think I owe Eddie (Sharp, team owner) one," laughed McDowell. "We've been close to a win, no doubt, and it's reasonable to say that we can get one. Milwaukee is a driver's track. I know we have the car capable of winning, we just need to stay on our game and seal the deal."

SPEED will broadcast the Governor's Cup 200 live at 1 PM EST on Saturday, August 26.

-credit: www.mmcdowell.com.