All good things must come to an end, and thus is the case for Team Dillon Racing. Team owner, Mike Dillon has made the decision to cease operations at the end of December as he continues to focus on the advancing careers of his sons, Austin and Ty Dillon.

“It was a really hard decision to end our tenure with the dirt program,” said Mike Dillon in a phone call late last week. “Shane (McDowell) and Dale (McDowell) have been like a part of the family for the past several years, and they’ve been instrumental in developing Austin and Ty into the drivers that they are today. Unfortunately, Austin and Ty have such busy NASCAR schedules now that they just don’t have much of an opportunity to race dirt anymore.

Dillon went on to note, “It keeps me busy as well, so we are putting our primary focus into their NASCAR careers. We will still stay involved some in the dirt program, just not to the extent that we’ve been for the past several years.”

While the closure of Team Dillon Racing will mark the end of one era, it will mark the exciting beginning of another. Shane McDowell and his wife Sara are proud to announce the formation of Shane McDowell Racing.

“Basically, everything will stay the same except the ownership and the changing of the team name,” commented Shane McDowell. “Mike Dillon and his entire family have been amazing to Sara and I over the past several years. They’ve given us everything we needed to win. We’ve enjoyed great success together and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

The 42-year-old will spearhead his own team – Shane McDowell Racing – which will operate in the same shop that Team Dillon Racing has based their operations for the past several seasons.

“Sara and I have purchased all of the equipment, and we will utilize the same shop for the 2017 season,” Shane noted. “We are also blessed to have the full support of our current sponsors and marketing partners moving forward. They are just as excited as we are about what the future may hold.”

Shane McDowell Racing (SMR) will continue to field Dirt Late Model entries for Shane’s brother and Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame driver, Dale McDowell. The team plans to continue to compete on a similar schedule to what they have the past several years.

In addition, SMR will field Dirt Late Model entries for Ahnna Parkhurst as the talented 16-year-old from Augusta, Georgia continues to progress in her racing career.

While Ty and Austin Dillon may not have the opportunity to enter as many dirt events as they have in the past due to their busy NASCAR schedules, the door will still be open to the talented young drivers, whenever they would like to play in the dirt.

“Austin and Ty are like family, they’re two of my closest friends and they will continue to be involved with our program, said McDowell. “They’ll still drive our cars when their busy schedules allow.”

Shane McDowell Racing would like to thank all of their sponsors and marketing partners including Bad Boy Off Road, University of Northwestern Ohio, Boyd’s Speedway, BoydBilt Fabrication, Cometic Gaskets, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, ECR Engines-Chevrolet, Clements Race Engines-Chevrolet, FK Rod Ends, Go Lithium, Penske Shocks, Schoenfeld Headers, Keyser Manufacturing, TWM, All Star Performance, Performance Bodies, Five-Star Bodies, FSR Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Wiles Driveshafts, Weld Racing Wheels, Butlerbuilt Seats, GW Performance, Mark IV ATV’s, Racing Optics, Winters Rearends, QuarterMaster, Sweet Manufacturing, Peterson Fluid Systems, and MSRMafia.com Marketing Services.

For the latest information on Shane McDowell Racing please visit www.ShaneMcDowellRacing.com .