Michael McDowell Parting Ways With Longtime NASCAR Ford Team

NASCAR’s “silly season” seems to already be in full swing, starting with news from Michael McDowell, driver of the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. On May 8^th, 2024, McDowell announced that he will not return to his current NASCAR Ford team for the 2025 Cup Series season. In fact, he’ll race for a Chevy-backed team next season, turning his back on The Blue Oval.

McDowell first joined his current NASCAR Ford team, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) seven years ago, taking control of the No. 34 Mustang full-time in 2018. His notable achievements include winning the 2021 Daytona 500 – his first Cup Series victory – and dominating at the Indy Road Course to win in 2023. He also made the cut to race for a championship in the postseason Playoffs twice during his time with FRM.

“Over half of my NASCAR Cup Series starts have been made under the FRM banner, and I’m thankful for each and every one of them,” McDowell said in a statement on social media. “With that being said, my family and I have made the bittersweet decision that it’s time for us to embark on the next chapter of our motorsports journey, making 2024 my final season as the driver of the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports.”

Moving forward, McDowell will take control of the No. 71 Chevy Camaro ZL1 fielded by Spire Motorsports in 2025. He will race alongside teammates Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar in the Cup Series, and will replace Zane Smith, who currently drives the No. 71 Camaro. At this time, FRM has not announced who will replace McDowell in the No. 34 NASCAR Ford Mustang.

“Rest assured, there’s still a lot of racing left this season,” McDowell said. “I’m fully committed to doing whatever it takes to get FRM another win and another Playoff berth. We’re not slowing down until the checkered flag flies in Phoenix.”

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