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        'I'm Going to Count My Blessings'

        By STEPHEN HAWKINS,
        AP
        Posted: 2008-05-09 17:30:01
        Filed Under: NASCAR
        FORT WORTH, Texas (April 4) - NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie Michael McDowell walked away virtually unscathed from a horrific tumbling crash during qualifying Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.


        McDowell was going into the first turn of his second lap when his No. 00 Toyota got loose, then slammed almost headfirst into the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier. The car ricocheted off the wall and onto its roof, then rolled at least eight times before finally coming to rest at the bottom of the high-banked track.

        As he got out of the crumbled car, McDowell waved to the crowd indicating that he was OK.

        "I feel great, nothing broke," McDowell said. "I didn't lose consciousness. I felt every roll down the hill."

        McDowell said he had "few little bumps and bruises," but was fine other than that.

        While McDowell said he didn't know what happened, he said something "didn't quite feel right" on the car when he came out of fourth turn on the first lap.

        "For me to walk away from that wreck is unbelievable," McDowell said. "I'm going to count by blessings tonight and thank God for this opportunity to walk away from that wreck."


        Car owner Michael Waltrip had some anxious moments waiting for McDowell to get out of the car.

        "Just from the time it stopped flipping until we saw Michael come out, it seemed like forever," Waltrip said. "That was an amazing crash."

        Qualifying was delayed for more than an hour while track officials made temporary repairs to the wall. After qualifying, a 20-foot section of the SAFER barrier was replaced.

        "With the initial hit and everything that happened after, I'm real happy he walked away," said Carl Edwards, who qualified second in a run before McDowell's accident. "I'm surprised he's not hurt in any way. That's a testament to the safety equipment."

        McDowell made his Cup debut last week at Martinsville. A developmental driver for Michael Waltrip Racing, he was promoted to the Cup level to fill a hole in the lineup created when Dale Jarrett retired.


        The 23-year-old McDowell had a decent run - he finished 26th - but drew the ire of several veterans for not moving out of the way and holding them up. McDowell has just four career starts in the Nationwide Series, and most of his experience is in ARCA.

        Based on owner points, McDowell will start 40th in the backup car for the Samsung 400 on Sunday.

        McDowell appeared to be slightly limping when he first got out of the car, but he said he felt better after walking around a bit. He said he was aware of what was going on while his car tumbled down the track.

        "I should have, but I didn't close my eyes. I just kind of rode it out," he said. "It wasn't a fun ride, that's for sure. I stand here with a smile on my face because I'm fortunate."

        Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
        2008-04-04 19:05:01


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        Recent Comments

        1 - 10 of 137
        137 comments

        luvyasyd99 11:34:17 PM Aug 25 2009

        Afew degress now for me......And I see RG has her horn up listening...LOVE IT!!!!! I win every time..........

        kimbelde 09:21:14 AM Nov 11 2008

        STOP COMMENT ME THIS IS FRICKEN STUP HOW EVER INVENTED THIS THAT PERSON IS STUPID

        reneesgrammy 09:14:09 AM Jun 20 2008

        IDIOT

        jtylerb07 08:47:41 PM Jun 05 2008

        yea dolphin you are pretty dumb. i graduated with newman and he is much smarter than you are im sure and you cant possibly blame to gas shortage on nascar because its definitely our fault for not looking to our chemical engineers to produce cheaper silicons for solar energy or less wasteful ways of refining oil. you should shut your mouth and go either read a magazine that doesnt deal with military movements or bury yourself and never speak on here again

        darksage1916 11:27:09 AM Jun 01 2008

        I luv nascare even though I've only been to the daytona speedway once and don't really watch it on tv or anything I'm just hooked after being at the race track once

        csm06 03:29:42 AM May 28 2008

        dolphinsmile83 01:49:43 AM Apr 06 2008

        Report This! FOR REDNECKS! Name ONE driver that has gone to College..

        Ryan Newman B.S. Engineering
        Dale Jarrett B.S. Business Management
        Chad Little....Lawyer
        Kyle Petty B.S. Business Management
        Jerry Punch....M.D.

        Just to name a few

        smalpecker 01:10:05 PM Apr 21 2008

        I know what that dolphin lady needs,she sounds frustrated ,would one of you be kind enough to take her out one evening for a beer or two and a good time and bring her back with a better happier addituide ,since we have to listen to that,sounds like another mommies who's son went off to war ,and she dosent like that,When there kids join up,they need to take there mommies down to the recruiter and explain to them that by signing this paper ,and recieveing all of this free stuff medical,housing ,education,sign on bonus,commissary and tons of other preferential treatment ,that one day he may have to put his life on the line or in danger,he is a soldier now..I think the mommies like this dolphin lady do more to embarrass there sons and daughters more than anything when they get on here and cry and whine about this mean old war and when 9-11 happened they and everyone else was behind going over there and taking care of business and it was explained it would take a long time..i have no respec

        rabsnider0734 11:10:48 AM Apr 14 2008

        This Sport is loosing fans as all the qualifying, ets is on Speed Network, which only the rich can afford. It's the fans that pay the way, not TV networks. So this try to get all the action on Fox, ESPN or NBC. Thanks

        Rab0734

        reneesgrammy 02:14:26 PM Apr 11 2008

        I see you folks have met DS and you are totally right!!!

        livelifefun52 09:07:54 PM Apr 08 2008

        What kind of degree do you have dolphin?

        1 - 10 of 137
        137 comments

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