Cup Car Testing

I got to spend some much needed time back in the race car this week. The MWR team headed up to Caraway Speedway in NC for some testing. I have never been to Caraway before but it is a really nice short track. The track is just under a .5 mile with some decent banking. The test consisted of brake and front end geometry tests. We made a ton of laps over 750 laps in a 2 day period it was awesome. I love running on short tracks it is great because you are always up on the wheel. I got to work with my new crew and they are a great group. I am really excited about next season, I just wish it was here now. I thought I would just put up a quick blurb about testing so everyone would know I am not sitting at home watching the calendar. This is pretty much it for us testing wise until Jan 1. Have a great week and make sure you check in next week for some Christmas Cheer on mmcdowell.com




Thanks

Michael McDowell

What A Great Year

Wow! What an awesome season. My first year in Stock Cars was just unbelievable. I really can't thank all my guys on the #2 Eddie Sharp Racing team for giving me their absolute best effort. Pat, Rocky, Ryan, Rocket, Wes, and Chuck slaved over that race car all year. It was such a fun time for all of us.

There are so many people that are apart of this program that it is really hard to mention everyone but I will try, Mike Hull from Chip Ganassi racing put me in touch with Lorin Rainer. He is the man responsible for introducing me to Eddie in 2006 and he made sure Eddie and I had all the equipment we needed to win races. Eddie Sharp of course gave me everything he had and when he didn't have it he bought it no questions asked. Not only is Eddie my partner, mentor and friend but he is family now. That holds true with Patrick as well, he and I hit it off right from the beginning. Okay that is a lie he told me to stop pestering him and leave him a lone so he could think but he got over that. In all seriousness Pat and I are like brothers. We think a like, we act a like and we share the same passion for winning. This is what it takes a driver and a Crew Chief that have nothing blocking there vision of winning. We did a lot of crazy things this year together things I won't list but I had the time of my life.

Without all our Great sponsors, Z-Line Design, Mission Residential, Hill Crest Capital Management, Lotame, Beck Dodge, and the Make A Wish Foundation we couldn't have done this. Everyone knows it takes a lot of money to race and to race for a Championship is a huge finical commitment.

Rob Finlay is a man some of you know and some of you don't know. He is solely responsible for my career not only in ARCA but The Rolex Sports Car Series, Grand Am Cup and Champ Car. He believed in me and took a chance in me that nobody would have. Not only did he groom me into a professional race car driver, he also gave me a huge amount of knowledge about life and business. I am forever indebted to him.

To all my friends and Family thank you for all your support. I feel very blessed to have all these great people in my life and I know that God has big plans for me in the future.

Thanks


Michael McDowell

Phoenix Fun

Jami and I had a great time in Phoenix. Got to spend time with all of our family and enjoyed being there for my cousin's wedding. We stayed with Steve and Kris Jami's Step Dad and Mom's house this time. They really took care of us it was like staying in a hotel. Steve and I went out to the shooting range and I shot some high power rifles for the first time. We shot a AK-47, AR-15, HK, and a Glock 40 handgun. That was a lot of fun and I was a decent shot. The weather was a little shaky with rain most of Friday and Saturday but when it wasn't raining it was awesome. We hung out with our friend Brian and he taught us how to play Guitar Hero. I never thought I would get into it but I did after about ten minutes, I was in the Rock star mode. I took a trip out to Bondurant which is always great to catch up with everyone. Steve and I went out for some HOTLAPS in a new Vette. Those Vettes are amazing. We also got to hangout with my childhood friend TJ and his fiance Abby. She is really not his fiance but he better hurry up with that. We went to the Japanese Steakhouse which is always a good time. My cousin's wedding is why we came home and it was a great time. Other than the rain everything went awesome. Valerie is his new wife and is a perfect addition to our family, they are really great together. We love our family but we love being home in NC. It will be nice to just hang out for a little bit.

Thanks

Michael