"Right now we're literally trying to figure out the internet" - Michael McDowell sheds light on alliance with Team Penske amidst recent Cup success

Ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 race, qualifying pole-winner Michael McDowell elaborated on the working alliance between Front Row Motorsports and Team Penske.

Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell secured the first pole position of his Cup Series career ahead of the second race of the season at Atlanta Superspeedway. The 39-year-old driver will be sharing the front row with Team Penske's Joey Logano for the second consecutive time after the same duo kicked off the season-opening Daytona 500 race from the front of the pack.

This raised many eyebrows, particularly in light of the strategic alliance forged between Front Row Motorsports and Team Penske ahead of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The collaboration between Front Row Motorsports and Team Penske encompasses various areas, including engineering, aerodynamics, race setup, strategy, and pit crew development. However, in a recent press conference leading up to the Cup race in Atlanta, McDowell emphasized the early stages of the partnership and its evolving nature.

In the press conference leading up to the Cup race in Atlanta, Michael McDowell was asked about the impact of the alliance on his recent success. McDowell responded:

"We aren't there yet, with how young and early this relationship is, so where we're able to click on every piece of information that's going back and forth and builds and all those things."

McDowell highlighted the ongoing efforts to leverage the partnership with Team Penske, stating:

"I think we definitely have gained some very helpful things that have allowed us to increase our performance. But I don't think we'll see the true results of what that looks like until we get a few more months in down the road. I mean right now, we're just literally trying to figure out the internet and tooling."

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Michael McDowell optimistic about strategic partnership with Team Penske

Despite the alliance being in its nascent stages, McDowell expressed optimism about its potential impact on Front Row Motorsports' performance. The veteran driver said at the same press conference:

"I don't want to paint this picture that these last two weeks have been just because of this potential alliance. But I know for sure going forward and going into the future for years to come, that this is going to be a really important part of Ford Performance and our team as well as Team Penske."

Despite starting from pole position in the season opener a week ago, Michael McDowell had to settle for a disappointing 36th-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 race.