DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Even though he sees triple-digit speeds regularly as a full-time NASCAR driver, Michael McDowell says he often feels safer on the race track than on public roads. Joined by his team and some helpful partners, he’s trying to do something about the latter.
Front Row Motorsports announced last week that a collaborative “We Care” effort with ClassicCars.com and the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) will raise awareness for safe driving. The message came too close to home for McDowell earlier this week, when his wife, Jami, was involved in a crash Tuesday when another driver ran a red light at an intersection in Concord, North Carolina.
MORE: Daytona 500 starting lineup
She emerged sore but otherwise unhurt, but the “We Care” initiative became an even more personal campaign for McDowell.
“It’s just a great reminder of how important it is, not only to drive safe but to remember that there’s other families out there,” said McDowell, who started 26th in the Daytona 500 (set to resume on Monday at 4 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM). “It’s easy to be distracted, especially in the era that we live in with people calling, texting and so much happening and you’re so accessible. Luckily my kids weren’t with her and everybody was able to walk away, but it definitely hits home.”
Speeding/distracted driving poses a serious threat. This morning, my wife was involved in a scary accident. She is OK, thanks to the safety and dependability of her @Ford Expedition.
I encourage everyone to click the link and take the pledge to drive safe https://t.co/Pm3M2beaDF pic.twitter.com/SNHzltltz8
– Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) February 11, 2020
In hopes of offsetting some of the dangers of distracting driving, FRM is taking pledges from motorists to focus on safer travel. McDowell will carry a decal on the side of his No. 34 Ford to amplify the campaign, which has made the message to “leave speeding to the professionals.”
“I’m way more comfortable out on the race track than I am on the highway,” McDowell says. “I think that racing in general, we have 40 of the best drivers that there are, so everybody on the race track is doing the same thing, paying attention. Driving a car at 200 mph requires 110 percent focus, so when you get out on the road and people are not paying attention, it’s very frustrating.”