Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing To Feature Donatello, The ‘Brains’ Of Team Turtle
CONCORD, N.C. (September 14, 2016) – NASCAR Driver Michael McDowell and Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing (CSLFR) are thrilled to be one of the select Sprint Cup Series teams showcasing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT) paint scheme during the TMNT 400 at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. McDowell and CSLFR will travel to the infamous 1.5-mile track after capturing their second best finish of the season at Richmond International Raceway.
McDowell recorded a 12th place finish during the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway last weekend, marking the 7th Top-20 for the team this season.
McDowell and CSLFR are honored to be chosen as one of the “Team Turtle” cars, and will sport a specially wrapped No. 95 Thrivent Financial / TMNT Donatello Chevrolet SS for the race, along with a custom-made firesuit and helmet that McDowell will wear during the race on Sunday.
“I’m really excited to drive the Donatello car,” said McDowell. “It will be a fun weekend, especially for me since I have kids – they’re really into it and think it’s really cool. We’re going all out this year with the helmet and firesuit so it will be really exciting.”
McDowell has recorded five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) starts at Chicago and won an ARCA race at the track in 2007.
“Chicago is a fun place to go,” said McDowell. “We were there to test a few weeks ago, so it always helps just to be able to make some laps before going back to race. The surface of the track is worn out, and the line moves around quite a bit there, so it’s a fun mile and a half track just because it’s one of those surfaces that hasn’t been repaved. You can move all around, and with the low grip, it’s kind of fun to slide around.”
While in Chicago, McDowell and the Thrivent Racing team will also be participating in a local community outreach event to prepare comfort packages for colon cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at University of Chicago Hospital. McDowell, who will also take questions from fans, is looking forward to the opportunity to make an impact by participating in this off-track event before the TMNT 400. The event is happening from 3 – 7 p.m. Saturday at Parkview Christian Church in Homer Glen, includes a barbeque dinner, and is open to the public.
Thrivent Financial will be the primary sponsor of the No. 95 Chevrolet during the Chicagoland race weekend. Thrivent is a Fortune 500, not-for-profit membership organization of Christians. Offering a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, Thrivent helps its members be wise with money and live generously.
The TMNT 400 will take place on Sunday, September 18 at 2:30 P.M. Race fans can tune-in to NBCSN for live coverage and follow @CSLFR95 on Twitter for race updates.
About Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing
Formed in 2016, Joe Falk, owner of Circle Sport Racing and Bob and Sharon Leavine, owners of Leavine Family Racing teamed up to compete in the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing. The team will field the No. 95 Chevrolet SS, which will be driven by Michael McDowell as well as Ty Dillon in select races. The team operates out of their Concord, N.C.-based race shop with a veteran group of racing personnel and is driven by several core principals including Value, Integrity, Flexibility, Opportunity, Access and Experience. For more information, please visit www.CSLFR95.com.
