2021 Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell kicked off NASCAR’s “silly season” on Wednesday, announcing that he is leaving his current Ford-backed team upon conclusion of the 2024 season. A few hours later, he broke the news that he will drive for NASCAR Chevy team Spire Motorsports next year instead, signing a multiyear contract to pilot the No. 71 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for the organization.
McDowell has driven the No. 34 Ford Mustang for Front Row Motorsports (FRM) since 2018. His notable accomplishments include the 2021 Daytona 500 win, which was his first victory in the Cup Series, and a dominant win at the Indy Road Course in 2023. He earned a berth in the Playoffs twice during his seven-year tenure with FRM, and will bring that experience to Spire next season.
“Michael McDowell is a proven winner and brings a NASCAR Playoff pedigree,” Spire president Doug Duchardt said in a press release. “Michael has always been committed to elevate his teams. His experience and enthusiasm are a perfect fit for Spire Motorsports, and we are sure he will be a great teammate to both Carey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar. We’re thrilled to keep up the positive momentum by adding someone as accomplished as Michael to our driver lineup.”
McDowell will replace Zane Smith, who currently drives the No. 71 Camaro. Smith, a rookie in the Cup Series, has a multiyear contract managed by Trackhouse Racing, another NASCAR Chevy team. At this time, Smith’s plans for 2025 have not been announced. Additionally, FRM has not announced a replacement for McDowell in the No. 34 Mustang next year.
“This is a new chapter for my family and me, and we’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity that’s in front of us,” McDowell said in a press release. “It’s going to take some hard work, but I feel like everything is in place for us to be successful as a race team – to win races and contend for championships. People are the greatest asset to any organization, and with Spire’s vision, ambition, knowledge, and dedication, we will achieve great things. Failure is not an option, and that’s the mindset that it will take to achieve our goals.”
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy news, NASCAR news, GM motorsports news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Interesting… So this essentially confirms that Chevy will again run the Camaro in the NASCAR ’25 season, even after its cancellation as a production vehicle…
They can run the Camaro as long as they want since it was a production vehicle at time of application.