Spire Motorsports has reached an agreement with Michael McDowell for a multi-year contract that will begin next season, as announced by the team on Wednesday. This announcement follows McDowell’s statement earlier in the day that he would not be returning to Front Row Motorsports after this season. McDowell has been with Front Row since 2018, winning the 2021 Daytona 500 and last year’s Cup race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course during his time there. Spire Motorsports confirmed that McDowell will be driving the No. 71 for the team next season, replacing Zane Smith, who is currently driving on loan from Trackhouse Racing. McDowell will join Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar on the team next year.
In a statement released by the team, McDowell expressed gratitude for the opportunity presented to him by Spire Motorsports, adding that he believes everything is in place for the team to be successful in winning races and contending for championships. Spire Motorsports President Doug Duchardt also praised McDowell’s experience and enthusiasm, highlighting his proven winning track record and commitment to elevating his teams. Duchardt believes McDowell will be a valuable addition to the team and a great teammate for LaJoie and Hocevar. The team’s plan for the No. 71 team in 2024 remains unchanged, with full support for Zane Smith and Stephan Doran from Trackhouse Racing. Spire Motorsports looks forward to the continued success of their collaboration with Trackhouse and the exciting Rookie of the Year battle between Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar.