The final day in double digits for this series. After last night’s action at Bowman Gray, the Cup Series drivers will do battle tonight in the main event of The Clash. Once today is done, then it is single digits in countdown and complete focus on the road to the Daytona 500. Spire Motorsports did a lot of wheeling and dealing in silly season. One of their biggest acquisitions was Michael McDowell. In 10 Days to Daytona, what will the Spire Motorsports #71 have to offer with a new driver/crew chief combo?
The #71 Team
Driver: Michael McDowell
Crew Chief: Travis Peterson
Sponsors: Delaware Life, Workforce, B’laster, Gainbridge, NationsGuard
2024 Statistics: 2 Top-5s, 7 Top-10s, 6 Poles, 256 Laps Led, 21.3 Average Finish
2025 Season Preview
New Team, Same Goal
Michael McDowell moving from Front Row Motorsports to Spire Motorsports might be the most consequential move of silly season. While other drivers might find more immediate (or long term) success in their moves, Spire Motorsports grabbed a driver to serve as more than simply a driver. During his tenure at Front Row, McDowell helped guide that organization from back-marker to fringe playoff contenders. What he learned during that tenure will surely tapped into by Spire, who are looking to make the same transition.
The 34 Team, But Spire
Not only did Spire Motorsports nab Michael McDowell from Front Row, but his crew chief, Travis Peterson, is also coming along. Together, the duo put together 1 win, 4 Top-5s, 15 Top-10s, and a playoff appearance over the past 2 seasons. Continuity is usually crucial in NASACR, so keeping the crew chief/driver combo that led the Cup Series in poles last year is great for Spire. However, it turns out that a large chunk of last year’s 34 team has transitioned to Spire as well.
More Poles?
Last year, Michael McDowell led the Cup Series with 6 poles. All of those poles were on superspeedways, along with a front row start in the Daytona 500. Everyone knows that the Fords have had an edge on those tracks. However, the question remains if that McDowell and Peterson can bring that speed over to Spire. If so, the next question will be if McDowell can capitalize on his good starting position. In 2024, McDowell’s average finish dropped 6.7 positions from his average start. While getting the pole is good, it does not matter if it ends with a mid-pack finish.
Daytona 500 Outlook
Over the past few seasons, the speed for Michael McDowell has been there on the superspeedways. Obviously, the poles indicate that but the 34 car had been a fixture of the front as well. However, the results had not been backing up what was under the hood and behind the wheel. McDowell is a great superspeedway driver, who was long underrated until his Daytona 500 win in 2021. However, McDowell thrived under the Ford banner, a manufacturer that seemingly mastered communication and teamwork. Will that continue now that he is driving for the bowtie?
Now that Michael McDowell is with Spire Motorsports, he has a new allotment of teammates and partners to work alongside. Carson Hocevar has yet to prove his skill on the drafting tracks, but Justin Haley is another skilled talent. If Spire can supply McDowell with similar power that FRM did, then McDowell cannot be denied as having a legitimate chance to win his second Harley J Earl Trophy. This time, it would be in front of a sold out crowd and (hopefully) his family there to celebrate it.
Days to Daytona Countdown
40 Days: Team Penske #22; 39 Days: Team Penske #12; 38 Days: Hendrick #24;
37 Days: 23XI Racing #45; 36 Days: Joe Gibbs Racing #20;
35 Days: Hendrick Motorsports #5; 34 Days: Hendrick Motorsports #9;
33 Days: Joe Gibbs Racing #11, 32 Days: Henrick Motorsports #48;
31 Days: Joe Gibbs Racing #19; 30 Days: Team Penske #2;
29 Days: Trackhouse Racing #99; 28 Days: RFK Racing #6;
27 Days: Trackhouse Racing #88; 26 Days: Joe Gibbs Racing #54;
25 Days: Wood Brothers Racing #21; 24 Days: RFK Racing #17;
23 Days: 23XI Racing #23; 22 Days: Trackhouse Racing #1;
21 Days: Richard Childress Racing #8; 20 Days: Spire Motorsports #77;
19 Days: Front Row Motorsports #38; 18 Days: Front Row Motorsports #34
17 Days: Front Row Motorsports #4; 16 Days: Hyak Motorsports #47;
15 Days: Haas Factory Team #35; 14 Days: 23XI Racing #35; 13 Days: Kaulig Racing #16
12 Days: Legacy Motor Club #43; 11 Days: Kaulig Racing #10
