Michael McDowell’s plans are set for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, but it doesn’t include being a driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang.
McDowell, a native of Phoenix, Ariz. announced on Wednesday that he will depart the Mooresville, N.C.-based team following the season-finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in November.
“Rest assured, there’s still a lot of racing left this season, and I’m fully committed to doing whatever it takes to get FRM another win and another playoff berth,” McDowell said in a statement posted to social media.
“We’re not slowing down until the checkered flag flies in Phoenix. I look forward to continue driving for many years to come and can’t wait to share my future plans with you all soon.”
McDowell joined the Bob Jenkins-owned team in 2018, and together, they have since transformed the team from a mid-pack organization to winners and a weekly contender.
Together, they won the 2021 Daytona 500 and last year’s Cup race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
“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 continued in his statement.
“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.”
Entering Sunday’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, 228 of McDowell’s 477 career Cup starts have been with Front Row Motorsports.
“We thank Michael for all he has done during his time as a driver at Front Row Motorsports,” Jenkins said in a statement Wednesday morning. “His 2021 Daytona 500 victory, a dominant win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and two appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs set a new standard for our organization.
“He became the leader of his team and the organization. Outside the car, he was the model for a driver we want to represent us and our partners.”
“We’re sad to see Michael leave, but wish him, Jami and his family nothing but the best as he moves on to another chapter of what is already an incredible racing career.”
McDowell won the pole at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in February and most recently at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April and started on the front row for the season-opening Daytona 500.
Trying to secure his spot into the 2024 Cup Series Playoffs, McDowell crashed while defending his lead coming to the checkered flag at Talladega, triggering a massive crash.
Despite three top-10 finishes in the first 12 races of 2024, McDowell sits 24th in the championship standings with a series-high four DNFs (did not finish), which include Talladega, where he was credited with a 31st-place finish after leading 36 laps.
McDowell finished a career-high 15th in the Cup Series championship standings with FRM in 2023 and has achieved eight of his nine career top-five finishes and 35 of his 40 career top-10s while piloting the blue oval at Front Row Motorsports.
CATCHFENCE.com has learned that McDowell is likely headed to Spire Motorsports to take over for Zane Smith, who is under contract with Trackhouse Racing. Smith and his crew chief, Stephen Doran, are expected to complete a planned move to Trackhouse Racing in 2025.
The move to Spire Motorsports offers McDowell the prospect of a long-term deal.
Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
Some personal news: pic.twitter.com/EJgfi1Kxu9
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) May 8, 2024
NEWS: A statement from Owner, Bob Jenkins after today’s announcement that @Mc_Driver will be leaving FRM at the end of this race season: pic.twitter.com/IL2kA1bPC4
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) May 8, 2024
