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Dale McDowell captures emotional win in season opener at Volusia Speedway Park

After being sidelined for four months, while tending to health needs, Dale McDowell made a triumphant return to the driver’s seat over the weekend. (Dirtman Photography)

The pilot of the Shane McDowell Racing/ E-Z-GO No. 17m Cometic Gaskets/ Klotz Synthetic Lubricants / Team Zero Race Cars/ Clements Racing Engine Super Late Model raced to the $10,000 victory in the opening round of the 2022 World of Outlaws Late Model Series campaign at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park.

“I wanna be tough,” McDowell said, searching for the right words to describe the moment in Victory Lane. “I realize you need to be tough … but very emotional. I need to thank the good Lord above for letting me come back and do what I love because four months ago I didn’t know what was gonna happen.

“Hats off to my brother (and) everybody who took care of me while we were sick and stood by us,” said McDowell, whose fourth career Late Model win at Volusia was his first since a WoO score on Feb. 15, 2018. “(Girlfriend) Tiffany at home, the kids. Shane and Sara (Shane’s wife) came down and took care of me while I was sick. And all the race fans that reached out … that was very important for the healing process.”

Shane McDowell Racing and pilot Dale McDowell ventured to Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Fla.) on Thursday afternoon to get the 2022 season underway with the second annual Sunshine Nationals. With 47 Super Late Models entered for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series season opener, McDowell recorded the third-fastest time in his group before picking up a heat race win.

With rough track conditions postponing the feature to Friday afternoon, Dale dominated the 40-lapper from the pole to capture his first win of the season and a $10,000 payday. He finished ahead of Dennis Erb Jr., Kyle Larson, Chris Madden, and Hudson O'Neal to claim his 13th-career WoO triumph.

Action continued on Friday evening with the second round of the weekend. Dale hit the ground running by setting fast time in his group, and then winning his heat race to earn a spot in the feature redraw. McDowell was the recipient of the second-starting spot for the 40-lap feature. Unfortunately rain arrived before the feature could be contested, postponing the race until Saturday afternoon.

Luck would not be on the event’s side on Saturday as continued rain forced the program to be rescheduled to February 16.

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