Michael McDowell Scores Top-10 and Personal-best Finish at Indy with CarParts.com

Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 2.5 Mile Oval
Race: 16 of 38
Event: Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 (400 miles, 160 laps)

Michael McDowell
No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang

Started: 27th
Finished: 7th

Stage One: 15th
Stage Two: 16th
Stage Three: 7th

Michael McDowell and his No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang took the green flag in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 from the 27th position. Under the Competition Caution on Lap 12, a multi-car incident would occur directly behind the pit stall of the No. 34 and a loose tire from the No. 12 car was sent flying into the rear of the No. 34 Ford, causing minor damage. McDowell would need to make a second trip down pit road for minimal repairs. The caution flag would again fly late in the first stage and Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer would call McDowell down pit road for 2 tires and fuel. The No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang would go on to finish Stage 1 from the 15th position. Under the Stage 1 caution, McDowell noted that his race car was “a little tight.” He also mentioned that his “corner speed was good, just lacked a little straightaway speed.” He pitted for 4 tires and fuel.

During Stage 2, McDowell noted that his No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang was still lacking “a little speed down the straightaway,” and then on Lap 74, told the team that he had a strong vibration. McDowell would bring his race car to pit road under green for 4 tires, fuel and a trackbar adjustment. He would momentarily go one lap down before the caution flag flew seconds later, making the No. 34 the Lucky Dog, and allowing McDowell to get back on the lead lap. McDowell would finish Stage 2, 16th. Under the Stage 2 caution, the No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang would take 4 tires, fuel and a packer adjustment.

In the final stage of Sunday’s 400-mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang showed good speed as McDowell navigated his race car into the Top-10. Another caution would come on Lap 132 and Blickensderfer called the No. 34 to pit road for 4 tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment after McDowell noted that his race car needed more “rear grip on the long run.” McDowell was running 11th as another caution would occur on Lap 153; setting up an overtime finish to which McDowell would restart 9th. In the final two laps of Sunday’s race, McDowell and his No. 34 CarParts.com | PowerStop Ford Mustang, with help from spotters Rocky Ryan and Tony Arnold would race their way to a 7th-place finish at the Brickyard; earning both McDowell and Front Row Motorsports new career-best finishes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

McDowell on Indianapolis:

“Another great finish for us. Another solid top 10. It’s such a big run for us. I’m so proud of everybody at Front Row and Bob Jenkins for giving me this opportunity. It’s taken so long to be this competitive and I’m so thankful to have the opportunity. To have CarParts.com and PowerStop and Love’s Travel Stops and FR8Auctions and all our partners throughout the year, Speedco — so many great people that make this possible and we’re doing it. We’re doing it every week. We’re definitely way more competitive than we’ve ever been and it’s a lot of fun.”

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

RacingJunk.com and Leaf Racewear Safety Equipment Giveaway

Latest articles

NHRA ANNOUNCES PEACH STATE NHRA SHOWCASE OF SPEED AT SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORPSORTS PARK

NHRA officials today announced the creation of a special two-day exhibition showcase race, a new event featuring big-name NHRA stars racing at an NHRA Member Track.

The Evolution of Automotive Locksmithing in the Age of Advanced Vehicle Technology

Locksmiths like Rhinox Locksmith have risen to the occasion, bridging the gap and providing car owners with reliable and efficient solutions for modern vehicles.

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Gearing Up for the Rolex

Corvette Racing's influence in the Rolex 24 At Daytona continues to grow with the release of the entry list for next month’s season-opening race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

NAPA NAMED OFFICIAL AUTO PARTS STORE OF NHRA IN FIRST-TIME PARTNERSHIP

For the first time ever, NAPA will team up with NHRA as an official partner, becoming the “Official Auto Parts Store of NHRA” as part of an exciting multi-year agreement.

Best New Zealand Online Casinos