Michael McDowell to leave Front Row Motorsports after 2024
Michael McDowell announced Wednesday that he will leave Front Row Motorsports after the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.
McDowell stated he and his family made the “bittersweet decision” but reaffirmed his commitment to FRM and racing for years to come. He added he is excited to announce his racing plans in due time.
McDowell has been with FRM for seven seasons. In that time, he has won twice, each time leading to a playoff berth. Among those two wins was a Daytona 500 crown in 2021.
Together they have steadily improved their results to where FRM now gets Tier 1 support from Ford.
Bob Jenkins, the owner of Front Row Motorsports, issued this statement, following McDowell’s announcement:
“We thank Michael for all he has done during his time as a driver at Front Row Motorsports. 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.”
Spire Motorsports announced McDowell signed a multiyear contract, beginning in 2025. The announcement came just hours after McDowell announced he was leaving FRM.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com