Positive momentum for Leavine Family Racing at Phoenix

Leavine Family Racing and driver Michael McDowell continued their path to growth in the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 with a driver and team best finish at Phoenix International Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

McDowell, a Glendale, Arizona native, drove the No. 95 KLOVE Radio Ford Fusion to a 31st place finish at the 1.5-mile speedway.

The team started the race in 31st position and moved up to as high as 27th within the first 50 laps.  McDowell and crew chief Wally Rogers had early discussions about the car and planned adjustments to make as the race progressed.

Unfortunately, the No. 95 had to make an unscheduled pit stop under green due to a loose tire, this put the team a few laps down at the start of the race.  But, once back out on the track, McDowell told the crew to keep their heads up and that they would “dig hard” to make up the positions.

Throughout the race Rogers worked with his pit crew to make adjustments on the No. 95 KLOVE Radio Ford and McDowell was able to keep the No. 95 car in the lead of their lap for the majority of the race.

“We had a good car today,” said McDowell.  “We’re continuing to build towards next year and have a lot of positive momentum going.  It was a strong effort by our team and I’m proud of them.” 

On Sunday, Leavine Family Racing held a special presentation where team sponsor Thrivent Financial donated $10,000 to Operation Heal Our Patriots, a Samaritan’s Purse program designed to strengthen the marriages of wounded members of the U.S. Military. The guests of honor included Johnny and Shannon Montoya, a married couple from Prescott, Ariz., who is participating in the Operation Heal Our Patriots program.  Johnny served in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008.

Leavine Family Racing will head to Florida this week to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  Fans can tune-in to the Ford Ecoboost 400 on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3pm ET on ESPN.

LFR PR