McDowell to announce Rolex 24, Sprint Cup plans

Michael McDowell

Add Michael McDowell to the list of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers planning to moonlight in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The current entry list shows Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya and AJ Allmendinger in Daytona Prototypes and Michael Waltrip in a GT-class Ferrari. McDowell was introduced as one of the drivers for Michael Shank Racing's #6 Ford Riley DP. "I'm grateful I can do both NASCAR and run the Rolex 24," McDowell said.

"It is a fun race. It's one race and a big race. It's exciting to get back behind the wheel of a DP car. I grew up road racing. To come back road racing is a lot of fun. It's a refresher, too. It reminds me where I came from and how it used to be for me. It's cool."

McDowell said he's getting close to making an announcement about a full-time Sprint Cup ride in a few weeks. "I am going to switch manufacturers and I got a new partner onboard, too," he said. "We'll be talking about that soon. I will also be in the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide car for a handful of races. I'm excited about that." Daytona Beach News Journal