By David Morgan, NASCAR Contributor
After running on a part-time basis since their inception in 2011, Leavine Family Racing announced on Thursday that the team would be running the complete season in 2017, with Michael McDowell and Todd Parrott returning as the driver/crew chief combo for the team’s No. 95 entry.
McDowell and Parrott will run all 36 races this upcoming season, making the organization Chase eligible for the first time in its history. Along with Leavine Family Racing running full-time for the first time, the 2017 season will also be the first full-time season for McDowell in his nine year Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career.
“With both Michael and Todd returning to the team this season we are looking to maintain the consistency we found towards the end of last year and continue to push forward and build off the positive momentum. We had great performances on the track last year and we’re hoping that continuing in that direction will lead to more sponsorships for the team. We do have some partner renewals that we will be announcing soon and are excited to add more,” said Jeremy Lange, Vice President of Leavine Family Racing.
Since joining the team in 2014, McDowell has scored three top-10 finishes, with a seventh place result at Daytona in July 2014, as well as a pair of 10th place finishes at Daytona in July 2016 and in the season finale at Homestead in November 2016.
“I’m excited to be returning full time with LFR for the 2017 season. I look forward to continuing to work with Todd as well and kicking off our season with a strong start at the DAYTONA 500 in February,” said McDowell.
“I can’t wait for the 2017 season to get here and look forward to having a great year with Michael and the team. I’m appreciative of the opportunity LFR has given me to once again assume the crew chief role for the team and am ready to get started on the upcoming season,” said Parrott.
