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'I'm Going to Count My Blessings'

By STEPHEN HAWKINS,

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.

Unbelievable Racing Crashes

June 21, 2008: Traveling around 300 mph, Scott Kalitta's car explodes into flames and crashes at the end of the track during a qualifying event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The NHRA driver died at age 46 as a result of his severe injuries.

Kevin Hodapp, AP

May 17, 2008: Tad Segars rolls his car during the Thunder Car 50 auto race prior to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Gerry Broome, AP

May 17, 2008: Phil Giebler is hospitalized with bruised lungs after a fiery crash during Indianapolis 500 practice.

Steve Russell, AP | Ron Sanders, AP

May 11: Giancarlo Fisichella (top) of Italy and and Kazuki Nakajima of Japan collide shortly after the start of the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mark Thompson, Getty Images

May 2, 2008: Moto GP championship co-leader Jorge Lorenzo fractures his left ankle during a hard fall at practice for the Grand Prix of China.

Teh Eng Koon, AFP / Getty Images

April 27, 2008: Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen is taken to the hospital by helicopter after a high-speed crash into the railing at the Spanish Grand Prix. Kovalainen escaped without serious injury even though stewards needed about 10 minutes to free him from his car.

Bernat Armangue, AP

April 26, 2008: Reigning Indy Car Series champion Dario Franchitti, left, is smashed by Larry Gunselman in his driver side door during the Aaron's 312 Nationwide Series race. The star has to be helped from his car and taken to the hospital after breaking his left ankle.

Dale Davis, AP

April 4, 2008: NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Michael McDowell's car is hauled to the garage following his scary crash during qualifying for the Samsung 500. Despite flipping over numerous times, McDowell was able to walk away without injury.

Larry Papke, AP

Feb. 23, 2008: V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper hits a concrete barrier at the Clipsal 500, causing severe head trauma and swelling of the brain. The 27-year-old Australian died days later from his injuries.

YouTube.com

Feb. 10, 2008: Defending Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon suffers a major engine explosion after slamming into a wall at nearly 300 mph during the NHRA Winternationals. Pedregon somehow walked away with only second-degree burns.

Auto Imagery, AP

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."

Latest NASCAR Photos

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowes / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, heads to pit road with a front-right locked tire during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2008 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2008 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Jimmie Johnson driver of the #48 Lowes /Kobalt Tools Chevrolet makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2008 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

Carl Edwards (99) drives along the front stretch during the NASCAR 3M Performance 400 auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, races with the Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2008 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, leads Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2008 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Jeff Gordon's crew works on his car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' 3M Performance 400 auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. Gordon's right-front tire blew out and sent the car into the wall. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Jeff Gordon talks to the media next to his trailer as his crew works on his car during the NASCAR 3M Performance 400 auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. Gordon's right-front tire blew and sent the car into the wall on lap 97. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Kyle Busch drives along the front stretch during the NASCAR 3M Performance 400 auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2008 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images

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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85 comments

reneesgrammy 09:14:09 AM Jun 20 2008

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IDIOT

jtylerb07 08:47:41 PM Jun 05 2008

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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

csm06 03:29:42 AM May 28 2008

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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

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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

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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

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

nascarjbernie 09:48:05 PM Apr 07 2008

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Hey Dolphin don't you have a hippie sit in somewhere. Every race honors the troops before each race. Apparently you are so ignorant to notice that. Also, we as Americans are supposed to go on with our lives. Unfortunately, people are dying all over the world whether it is the war or whatever. If we stop living our lives at the best of our ability, then the terrorists won. If you don't like racing, then don't post here. You must be so bored and alone for attention that you have to say your opinion that is not even related to the topic on the board. I was born in America. Most of my family have fought in past and present wars. Even if someone watches racing or any other sport, it does not make that person less of an American. And no I have not been in the miliatary and I bet you haven't either.

Racing has a purpose besides entertainment now. It was invented to have each manufacturer part put in extreme conditions. So, you won't drive from point A to point B without breaking