Salem: Michael McDowell qualifying report

McDowell on a Mission at Salem; Earns Career-1st Pole

SALEM IN (4-21-07) - ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Michael McDowell, in Eddie Sharp's Z Line-Make A Wish-Beck Dodge, is clearly on a mission. After posting the quickest speed in practice earlier in the day, the Phoenix, Arizona driver backed that up by earning the pole position Saturday afternoon at Salem Speedway for Sunday's Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts. McDowell qualified with an average speed of 112.285 mph. It was his career-first ARCA RE/MAX Series pole award.

"This is my first career pole in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, and it's great to be able to do it here at Salem," said McDowell. "This is my second race I've ever done here. Last year I think I qualified 22nd. To come back here a year later with Eddie Sharp Racing and get the pole is very rewarding. Patrick Donahue (crew chief) did a great job setting up the car. The car is absolutely awesome. I think this is going to be the start of some really big things." McDowell is now the fourth different pole winner in four events so far on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series tour

The green flag drops on race day (Sunday) at 2:15 pm.

-credit: www.mmcdowell.com