McDowell leads final Nationwide Series practice
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Rookie Michael McDowell paced the final Nationwide Series practice Thursday at Daytona International Speedway, turning a lap of 187.547 mph in the No. 00 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota.
McDowell was the fastest of the 20 drivers who need to make the race via qualifying, with 13 making the Camping World 300 on Saturday. Qualifying is slated for 3:10 p.m. EST on Friday.
David Stremme (Rusty Wallace Racing) was second fastest at 187.523, with Eric McClure (Front Row Motorsports) third at 187.395. Greg Biffle (Roush Fenway Racing) was fourth, with Brian Vickers (Braun Racing) fifth.
Mike Wallace (Germain Racing) was sixth, followed by Dario Franchitti (Chip Ganassi Racing), Jason Leffler (Braun), Scott Wimmer (Richard Childress Racing) and Kevin Harvick (Kevin Harvick Inc.).
A four-car crash interrupted the practice. Clint Bowyer nudged the back of Mark Green’s Chevrolet, with Green spinning down the track in Turn 3. Also involved were defending series champion Carl Edwards, Kelly Bires, David Stremme and David Reutimann.
Green was forced to a backup car.
