Michael McDowell survived a rash of cautions inside the final 10 laps of the Road America 180 and then held off his teammate,Brendan Gaughan, for his first career win Saturday afternoon.
In his 94th Xfinity Series start, and his first since 2014, McDowell led 24 of the race’s 48 laps driving the No. 2 for Richard Childress Racing. He took the lead for the final time with 17 laps to go, after making contact with Alex Tagliani. Tagliani won the pole in the No. 22 for Team Penske and was dominant early, but he never recovered from the contact and failed to contend for the win.
As for Richard Childress Racing, it was the third consecutive year the organization was victorious at Road America.
The top five were McDowell, Gaughan, Brennan Poole, Daniel Suarez, and Ryan Reed.
“It’s huge, I’m so thankful and blessed,” McDowell told NBCSN in victory lane. “Thank God, first and foremost. RCR, Rheem, this Chevrolet was super fast. I’ve got to thank all of my guys back in Michigan, Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing for letting me be here, they know how bad I wanted this victory at Road America. So thankful to do it.
“(Crew chief) Justin Alexander, all the guys called the right shots. I had track position there at the end when we needed it and this ECR Chevy was on rails, it was awesome.”
McDowell competes full-time in the Sprint Cup Series for Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing and received a one-race deal in the No. 2 with RCR for Road America. Following the victory, he will fly to Michigan International Speedway to compete in Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race.
Check out the unofficial race results for the Road America 180 Fired Up By Johnsonville.
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
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