Michael McDowell walks away from tumbling crash in Texas

Larry Papke, Associated Press

Michael McDowell's car is hauled to the garage area following his crash during qualifying for Sunday's Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday. McDowell was not injured.

Associated Press

Last update: April 4, 2008 - 11:30 PM

FORT WORTH, Texas — NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie Michael McDowell walked away virtually unscathed from a horrific tumbling crash during qualifying Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.

McDowell was going into the first turn of his second lap when his No. 00 Toyota got loose, then slammed almost headfirst into the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier. The car ricocheted off the wall and onto its roof, then rolled at least eight times before finally coming to rest at the bottom of the high-banked track.

As he got out of the crumbled car, McDowell waved to the crowd indicating that he was OK.

"I feel great, nothing broke," McDowell said. "I didn't lose consciousness. I felt every roll down the hill."

McDowell said he had "few little bumps and bruises," but was fine other than that.

While McDowell said he didn't know what happened, he said something "didn't quite feel right" on the car when he came out of fourth turn on the first lap.

"For me to walk away from that wreck is unbelievable," McDowell said. "I'm going to count by blessings tonight and thank God for this opportunity to walk away from that wreck."

Car owner Michael Waltrip had some anxious moments waiting for McDowell to get out of the car.

"Just from the time it stopped flipping until we saw Michael come out, it seemed like forever," Waltrip said. "That was an amazing crash."

Qualifying was delayed for more than an hour while track officials made temporary repairs to the wall. After qualifying, a 20-foot section of the SAFER barrier was replaced.