LAS VEGAS – Without question, Michael McDowell and his Front Row Motorsports team were having a strong showing this weekend at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, unfortunately, an engine failure put them out early in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.
McDowell and his No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford unloaded fast on Friday posting the 16th fastest lap during first practice. In qualifying, he pushed through two rounds of qualifying to earn a season-high 15th place qualifying effort.
Proving that Friday wasn’t a fluke, McDowell timed in ninth quickest in Saturday morning practice, while slotting 29th during final practice a few hours later.
In the early going of Sunday’s race, McDowell maintained a competitive pace and his team utilized pit strategy late into Stage 1 to allow the 33-year-old to lead 11 laps before making his scheduled stop on Lap 56.
Shortly after the start of Stage 2, while on the lead lap, McDowell’s car began smoking and with the problem worsening, the team went to the garage on Lap 100.
The Phoenix, Ariz. native was officially retired from the race with engine failure and was credited with a 37th place.
“We are still trying to diagnose exactly what happened,” offered McDowell. “We started to lose some power there and had a lot of smoke in the cockpit. Normally they don’t fix themselves. The Love’s Ford was fast today. We had a good strategy and played it out.
“We were back on the lead lap, in a good position. We were able to maintain that first run but unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be for us today.”
Despite the finish, McDowell and his team are encouraged by their weekend performance and hope it’s a sign of the future.
“I am really proud of everyone at Front Row Motorsports,” added McDowell. “We brought a fast car here. It is going to hurt us in the points. We came in here 15th and had a good run going today and were hoping to stay in the top-15.
“We will go to Phoenix and hopefully we will unload with a fast Ford again and make sure we get to the end.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
