Michael McDowell signs multi-year deal with Spire Motorsports after announcing Front Row departure

Michael McDowell has signed a multi-year deal to pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports starting in 2025, per Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.

McDowell, 39, joins Spire after announcing his departure from Front Row Motorsports following the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season on Wednesday morning, bringing an end to his seven-year tenure with the race team.

“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 statement. “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.” 

He will replace Zane Smith in the No. 71 for Spire, who is likely to remain in the Cup Series next year with Trackhouse Racing, Pockrass reported. Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar will be McDowell’s new teammates at Spire. Front Row, meanwhile, now has a vacancy in its No. 34 Ford. Todd Gilliland (No. 38) is Front Row’s only Cup Series driver signed for 2025.

Michael McDowell to finish up with Front Row before joining Spire in 2025

Joining Front Row in 2018, McDowell initially struggled to find speed before having a breakout season in 2021. He won his first career Cup Series race — the Daytona 500 — and finished 16th in the points standings. McDowell got back into victory lane this past season at the Brickyard road course, clinching his second career playoff berth. He finished 15th the points standings.

Through 12 races this season, McDowell has tallied three top 10s, finishing a season-best P8 at Atlanta and Phoenix. Though he’s qualified well, earning poles at Atlanta and Talladega, McDowell has had trouble finishing races with four DNFs. Following a six-race stretch in which he finished P31 or worse four times, he finished P10 in this past Sunday’s race at Kansas.

Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt said McDowell “brings a NASCAR playoff pedigree” to the race team.

“Michael McDowell is a proven winner and brings a NASCAR Playoff pedigree,” Duchardt said. “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.