Michael McDowell, captured the pole, set fast lap of the race, and was able to put it all together to bring home his third victory in the last four races for the MMI / World Speed Motorsports team this past weekend, in his home town of sunny Phoenix Arizona.In Morning qualifying McDowell had pole for most of the session by about three tenths of a second until Tim Barber was able to pick up a draft all the way down the long front straight, from his teammate Daryl O’Young.“The guys told me that Tim had pulled out a fast lap with a draft, but I was determined to sit on pole,” commented McDowell “so we set it up for me to get a draft off of Frank, (WSM teammate Frank McCormick) and I put together the best lap I could which was enough for pole.”
The MMI / World Speed Motorsports team was confident going into round eight after suffering brake problems in round seven which prevented McDowell from capitalizing on his pole and fast lap in that race. “We knew we had found the problem with the brakes Saturday night,” said team manager Telo Stewart “and we were looking forward to Michael walking away with the final race of the season.”As it turned out McDowell was challenged up until about eight laps from the checker when he was able to pull out some breathing room.The spectators at Firebird were given quite a show and Michael McDowell was able to showcase his talents.“You are a very talented driver” complimented Thierry Burckhart, President of Fran-Am, after the race.
This finish secured McDowell as third, in the inaugural season of Fran-Am, after a very difficult season in which lady luck would not let herself be forgotten but McDowell never let her get him down.
Michael McDowell would like to acknowledge and thank his sponsors, who have made this 2002 racing season possible, MMI-Karting / World Speed Motorsports, Mega Metals, Western Titanium, No Fear, Sparco USA, Jim Russell Racing School, SpeedPro Designs, WAT Plumbing, Steve Coleus and Explorer Van Company.