2/18/2023
Dale McDowell
Dale McDowell opens 2023 season in Florida for DIRTcar Nationals
Making an unexpected appearance The Sunshine State, Dale McDowell took the Shane McDowell Racing No. 17M Late Model into battle at Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Fla.) on Tuesday afternoon for the second round of the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.
With 51 Late Models amassed for the 52nd running of the annual event, Dale topped his group in time trials before dashing to a heat race win. Earning the fifth-starting position for the feature via the redraw, McDowell faded one spot in the 25-lapper to finish sixth.
On Wednesday with the massive field divided into three groups for a trio of preliminary features, McDowell’s qualifying effort placed him on the fifth row for the $5,000-to-win prelim. Running into trouble early, Dale pulled off on the eighth circuit.
In a field of 56 cars on Thursday as the remainder of the weekend became World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series sanctioned, Dale followed up the second-fastest lap in his time trial group with a heat race victory. With $10,000 on the line in the feature, McDowell dropped three positions to finish sixth.
After losing Friday’s program to Mother Nature midway through heat races, McDowell raced his way into Saturday’s DIRTcar Nationals finale with a consolation victory. With $20,000 on the line, Dale retired on lap 35.
Full results from the events are available at www.DIRTcarNationals.com and www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
Article Credit: Jacy Norgaard image