Leavine Family Racing’s consistent work in the first quarter of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season has been gaining traction, especially after the single-car team secured 24th place, it’s best finish this season, on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Michael McDowell and the No. 95 K-LOVE team have displayed brilliant versatility of late, adapting again this past weekend to the particular needs of one of the two road courses on their limited schedule. Making his eighth start of season for Leavine Family Racing (LFR), McDowell scored his best finish of this year’s campaign. McDowell started the 110-lap event from the 28th position and utilized tactical driving and smart pit strategy to advance his position on the 11-turn course. The Glendale, Ariz., driver methodically maneuvered his way up through the field and narrowly avoided multiple incidents as he raced as high as 20th, improving from his starting position on the 1.99-mile course. Crew chief Wally Rogers was able to keep up with the dynamic strategy and handling changes throughout the day, and McDowell was able to keep the progress on track en route to the 24th-place finish. The K-LOVE Ford Fusion had the third-highest number of fastest laps run (seven) and was credited with 80 green flag passes.
Start- 28 Finish- 24 Laps Led- 0
Michael McDowell Quote:
“We had high expectations going into Sonoma this past weekend. Our No. 95 K-LOVE Ford struggled with rear grip all weekend, but in the race the team did an excellent job executing. We finally finished a race where we should have, but we are always looking for better performance. It was definitely a good result to build on.”
LFR PR
