NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Michael McDowell plans to use his road racing background to master the corners of the “Tricky Triangle” this weekend as he pilots the No. 95 Malwarebytes Chevrolet SS for Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing in the Pennsylvania 400.
McDowell, who is fresh off his career-best finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, last visited the track in 2013 and recorded a win in the ARCA series there in 2007.
“Pocono has been a good track for me in the past,” said McDowell. “With three very distinguished corners, it’s similar to a road race. You use a lot of brake and you downshift, so it’s a good race for me. I’ve won an ARCA race there in the past, so I’m really looking forward to going back and seeing what we can do.”
This trip to Pocono will be Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing’s first with McDowell this season, as the team scored a Top-25 finish there with fellow CSLFR driver Ty Dillon earlier in the season. Out of McDowell’s eight Sprint Cup starts at Pocono, his best start was 27th, and his best finish was 24th.
Crew Chief Dave Winston is also looking forward to having a second swing at the “Tricky Triangle” and looks to improve on the team’s 21st place finish there earlier this year.
“We’ve got a young team that is constantly learning and growing each week,” said Winston. “As we get the chance to go back to some of the tracks for the second time this year, I think we will see continued improvement. The key to getting around Pocono fast is to be able to get out of Turn 3 to get the run down the front stretch. Although Michael hasn’t been there in a few years, I don’t think that will be a challenge for him, and I feel just as confident going there as he does.”
McDowell will pilot the No. 95 Malwarebytes Chevy featuring the same chassis the team ran at Pocono back in June.
CSLFR PR
