Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:04 AM Updated: 01:59 PM

 

POST YOUR COMMENTS
DARLINGTON — Michael McDowell is a rookie on the NASCAR circuit who careened into racing lore following a spectacular qualifying crash April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway.

His No. 00 Michael Waltrip Toyota hooked and plowed head-on into the outside wall. The car flipped on its roof, skidded and then barrel-rolled down the track in flames.

McDowell walked away with just a few bumps and bruises. The wreck was shown over and over on national TV. McDowell’s name became known instantly.

 “I still feel fortunate to have walked away from that wreck,” McDowell said Thursday during an interview in his plush motor home at Darlington Raceway. “I think it’s great how well the car withstood the crash. But hopefully we will have some more news soon about how well we ran and winning races.

“From another perspective, I gained a lot of media attention and became a household name over night. And that’s not exactly the reason I want to become a household name. But now when we run well and have good results, people will know who’s doing it.”

One of the first places McDowell retreated to after the wreck was his 40-foot motor home. It has all the amenities of home while being on the road.

“It’s basically a moving house with everything you need,” he said, casting a flirting glance at his wife, Jami. They are high school sweethearts from Glendale, Ariz., who started dating when they were 15.

McDowell and most of the other NASCAR drivers live in their luxury motor homes while traveling from track to track. McDowell’s has three TVs, a full-size refrigerator, sophisticated stereo and DVD system and plenty of food.

But perhaps the most luxurious part about it is having a “chauffeur” to drive it to each race. Brian Hosford is a longtime friend of McDowell. They met on the go-kart circuit when McDowell was honing his skills for NASCAR.

Hosford ensures everything is in order for Michael and Jami, who fly to the races on the team plane. He keeps the pantry stocked, the refrigerator full and makes sure their clothes are washed and ready for each trip.

“It takes practice to learn to drive one of these motor homes,” said Hosford, a native of Chandler, Ariz. “You’ve got to be careful about your distance from other cars because this thing doesn’t slow down very fast.”

But it’s equipped with a backup camera and cameras on the turn signals that help wipe out the blind spots on either side.

Hosford isn’t alone when he’s on the road, usually in a convoy with drivers piloting other racers’ motor homes. Riding shotgun and keeping an eagle eye on the road is Sparco, the McDowell’s 2½-year-old yellow lab. They ride for about 500 miles before having to fill up to the tune of $250 to $300.

Sparco pretty much rules the roost both on the road and at races. She lets Michael and Jami know that she owns the motor home and they are her guests.

“This is fun and we’re really enjoying our time right now,” Jami said. “We’re young and this first year of cup racing is something that we are experiencing together, thanks to this motor home.”

-- advertisements --