Front Row Motorsports Cup Series Race Report - Phoenix 1

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No. 34 Horizon Hobby Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

Returning to his hometown track, Michael McDowell, the Glendale, AZ native rolled off in 9th-position looking to build on his top-10 performance last November at the Phoenix Raceway. After finishing Stage 1 in 8th, earning 3 valuable stage points, a pit-road mishap put the No. 34 back in 15th place. With a fuel-saving strategy and a caution on lap 204, McDowell was able to stay out and utilize the restart to put his Horizon Hobby Ford Mustang Dark Horse back in the top-10, eventually finishing 8th, McDowell's best at Phoenix Raceway.

Start: 9th

Stage One: 8th

Stage Two: 19th

Race Result: 8th

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“Overall, we started the first stage pretty good and finished in the top-10 and got some stage points. I had a little mishap on a pit stop there and lost track position. I fired off loose and lost our track position, but a good call from Travis (Peterson) and we got it back there at the end with some strategy. I am glad that it worked out that we could get back to where we were and finish where I feel like we started the day.”

No. 38 gener8tor Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

Qualifying 29th, Gilliland's Crew Chief, Ryan Bergenty, pulled some magic out of the strategy hat, allowing Gilliland to add to his 2024 "laps led" statistic, with 14, and compete within the top-10 in throughout the second stage. The final stage allowed Gilliland to run in the top-15 and top-15 before eventually finishing 17th, the best finish for Gilliland at Phoenix Raceway. The No. 38 team showed much improvement, showing that they are contenders in next week's event at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Gilliland has led a total of 88 laps this season, the most of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Start: 29th

Stage One: 26th

Stage Two: 29th

Race Result: 17th

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

"We had really strong strategy all day. Ryan (Bergenty) called a great race and kept me within the top-20. We had some good breaks and overall gains for the race. I like the direction we’re heading in, we'll keep building and learning!