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HARPER: McDowell Determined To Achieve NASCAR Dreams
If NASCAR owners are looking for the next young-gun I'd point them into the direction of ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Michael McDowell.
Mike Harper  | http://www.racetalkradio.com  |  Posted August 09, 2007   Midland, MI
Rookie Michael McDowell leads the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX series season with 6 Sim Pole Awards.(ARCA RE/MAX Photo)
If NASCAR owners are looking for the next young-gun I'd point them into the direction of ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Michael McDowell. This young stock car talent out of the Eddie Sharp Racing stable has turned the ARCA world upside down.

If winning at Kentucky and Pocono isn't enough to grab your attention, then look at the points race where McDowell currently sits second and trails eight-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel by 20 points.

This is the first time in recent memory the championship chase has been this close in ARCA at this point of the season. And while ARCA has enjoyed competitive seasons on the track by delivering first time winners and close finishes, Kimmel has been able to dominate the championship points race year after year by securing titles with an average lead of 495 points over the past five seasons. Kimmel won the championship in 2003 by 675 points over Jason Jarrett, but since 2003 the difference in points between Kimmel and his challengers have decreased. Last season Kimmel won the championship by 215 points and if McDowell has anything to do with it this season, Kimmel's championship reign will soon be over.

"For us it tightens everything up and now it will allow us to show our legs," said McDowell about the championship points race. "We're excited to be running for this championship and for me it's about going out there and showing we can do it and trying to win it."
Michael McDowell’s crew give him the edge for victory at Pocono. (ARCA RE/MAX Photo)

If McDowell wins it, ARCA fans will quickly need to realize their champion has no plans to return to the series to defend the title. His goal is NASCAR. During an appearance on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, McDowell made his intentions clear after Despain asked him about returning to defend the title if he wins it. "Unfortunately for me I'm 22 years old," said McDowell. "For me to spend two or three years in the ARCA series is not possible at this point."

ARCA championship in hand or not, McDowell will be is one of the hottest sensations to come out of ARCA in quite some time. He's not a development driver dipping in four to five races for experience, McDowell and his Eddie Sharp Racing team have done it the absolute right way. They've spent the full season tackling the challenges of ARCA and if this driver and team win a championship it'll be deserved and should be rewarded by a full-time ride in NASCAR.

My Top 5 of the Week

1. Bobby Gerhart – Injured at Pocono, Gerhart was released from the hospital on Wednesday and is likely to be out of the race car for awhile. The team named Brian Keselowski as Gerhart's replacement for Nashville, which demonstrates this team, makes great decisions on and off the track. As for Bobby, we want to say get well soon and we're thinking about you.

If you would like to send a get well card or letter to Bobby, please send it to: Bobby Gerhart Racing, 2400 E Cumberland St, Lebanon, PA 17402.

2. Justin Allgaier – Luck has not been Allgaier's friend this season, but a top 10 finish at Pocono with the dirt track at Springfield coming up in a few weeks, his luck could turn around in a positive way. "That's the kid I want in my car," said Dan Pardus.

3. Dexter Bean – Kimmel's woes and a top 10 at Pocono has put Bean in the 2007 championship hunt. Finding the consistency he had during the early part of the season will give him a shot at topping Kimmel and McDowell.

4. Dominick Casola – Let's give credit where credit is due. Andy Belmont Racing is beginning to see the positive results of what seat time can do for a young rookie driver in ARCA. Casola captured a top 10 finish at Pocono, his best finish of the season to date. And I sense his confidence level is at an all time high heading into the second half of the season. "We used some fuel strategy, some luck and a heck of an awesome race car to get to the front. I think they'll remember we were here," said Casola after running in the Pennsylvania 200 at Pocono Raceway. "We're going to be a force to be reckoned with before the year is out you can quote me."
Darrell Basham made his 200th career ARCA start at Pocono. (Photo: Dennis Michelsen/RaceTalkRadio.com)

5. Mike Harmon – Welcome to the top 10 Mr. Harmon. Qualified 28th and finished inside the top 10 at Pocono, it's great to see an ARCA veteran running up front with the young-guns. In addition to his stellar performance at Pocono, Harmon led a few laps and has increased his chances of working his way into the top 10 in the standings before the season is out. With Bobby Gerhart and Jason Hedlesky possibly falling out of the top 10 in the standings due to their individual situations, Harmon is less than 120 points from securing top 10 honors.

A big congratulations goes out to ARCA veteran Darrell Basham. At Pocono, Basham achieved his 200th career start in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. His ARCA career began in 1972 where he was able to finish 11th in his first race at Louisville Motor Speedway.

A true ambassador of the sport, Basham continues to prove he's a champion on and off the track. He's a great mentor to the young-guns and a pure joy to be around. We are very fortunate to have Darrell Basham in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and I consider him a series treasure. By the way, I understand he's running for president. But you'll need to visit his web site for that bit of information.


Mike Harper is an ARCA RE/MAX Series contributor for SPEEDtv.com, and host of Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series radio show on RaceTalkRadio.com.

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Mike Harper

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