Michael McDowell Wins

Last Modified May 16, 2024 05:17 GMT
Michael McDowell Wins
Michael McDowell (Credit: Michael McDowell Instagram)

Michael McDowell competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports. With over 450 races under his belt, he is considered the veteran of the series. Even though his winning record is not as impressive as drivers of his age, he is still regarded as one of the most consistent drivers in the series.

Michael’s passion for racing was evident when he started racing BMX bicycles. He transitioned to go-karts when he was eight years old. His excellent performance in go-kart racing yielded him a World Karting Association championship and double International Kart Federation championships.

Wins in Open Wheel racing series

Due to Michael’s success in go-karts, he was given the opportunity to race in Formula Renault by the World Speed Motorsports team in 2002. He continued his excellent performance in the series and won two races in his rookie season.

Hence, due to this performance, he was given yet another opportunity to step up to the Star Mazda Series in 2003. He managed to win two races in the series and had good consistent results, finishing as runner-up in points. His breakthrough season came a year later in 2004 when he won the championship and collected seven race wins.

Wins in ARCA

Seeing Michael's potential in open-wheel racing, Eddie Sharp gave him an opportunity to drive for his team, ESR, for five races in the 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series.

Due to his consistent performance in the five races, he was given a full-time seat for the 2007 season. In this season, he won his first stock car race when he finished first at the Kentucky Speedway. Consequently, he won three more races in that season at Pocono, Chicagoland, and Toledo. He finished the season as runner-up and won the Rookie of the Year award.

This performance brought Michael into the spotlight of attention from NASCAR.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins

Michael's initial years in NASCAR were spent as a development driver for the NASCAR Cup Series team, Michael Waltrip Racing. He got his opportunity to drive full time in the 2008 Cup Series season following Dale Jarrett's retirement.

Michael struggled to win a race in the Cup Series for more than a decade but was a consistent performer. He won his first race after 13 years of being in the series when he won the prestigious Daytona 500 in the 2021 season. His second win in the series came in 2023, Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.

Along with the Cup Series, Michael used to race part-time in the Xfinity series where he competed in 94 races and won just one race, the 2016 Road America 180.

FAQ's On Michael McDowell Wins

A. Michael McDowell started racing go-karts at the age of four.

A. Michael McDowell won his Star Mazda Series championship in 2004.

A. Michael McDowell won his first stock car race at Kentucky Speedway in 2007.

A. McDowell won his only NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the 2016 Road America 180.

A. Michael McDowell won his first NASCAR Cup Series race in 2021 at the prestigious Daytona 500.

Related Stories

"You changed my world": 'Proud' dad John Hunter Nemechek shares heartfelt birthday message to his daughter "You changed my world": 'Proud' dad John Hunter Nemechek shares heartfelt birthday message to his daughter
"You changed my world": 'Proud' dad John Hunter Nemechek shares heartfelt birthday message to his daughter
Noah Gragson drops comical 3-word-comment on Todd Gilliland's adorable post with wife Marissa Noah Gragson drops comical 3-word-comment on Todd Gilliland's adorable post with wife Marissa
Noah Gragson drops comical 3-word-comment on Todd Gilliland's adorable post with wife Marissa 
Christopher Bell's wife Morgan drops 5-word reaction to Joe Gibbs star's strong Martinsville weekend Christopher Bell's wife Morgan drops 5-word reaction to Joe Gibbs star's strong Martinsville weekend
Christopher Bell's wife Morgan drops 5-word reaction to Joe Gibbs star's strong Martinsville weekend
1d
NASCAR Power Rankings shift as Denny Hamlin secures first 2025 Cup win before Darlington NASCAR Power Rankings shift as Denny Hamlin secures first 2025 Cup win before Darlington
NASCAR Power Rankings shift as Denny Hamlin secures first 2025 Cup win before Darlington
Jeb Burton to honor father's first season in the NASCAR Cup Series via Darlington paint scheme Jeb Burton to honor father's first season in the NASCAR Cup Series via Darlington paint scheme
Jeb Burton to honor father's first season in the NASCAR Cup Series via Darlington paint scheme
"They should send these guys home": Kyle Petty pushes NASCAR to put on 'big boy pants' and restore order after Xfinity mess "They should send these guys home": Kyle Petty pushes NASCAR to put on 'big boy pants' and restore order after Xfinity mess
"They should send these guys home": Kyle Petty pushes NASCAR to put on 'big boy pants' and restore order after Xfinity mess
20h
NASCAR 2025: Full entry list for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway NASCAR 2025: Full entry list for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway
NASCAR 2025: Full entry list for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway
NASCAR legend Richard Petty delivers his verdict on ‘one of the wildest finishes’ at Martinsville Xfinity race NASCAR legend Richard Petty delivers his verdict on ‘one of the wildest finishes’ at Martinsville Xfinity race
NASCAR legend Richard Petty delivers his verdict on ‘one of the wildest finishes’ at Martinsville Xfinity race
1d
Denny Hamlin gets 100% real on being called the ‘villain’ of NASCAR: “If you wanna do that, I’m gonna show you” Denny Hamlin gets 100% real on being called the ‘villain’ of NASCAR: “If you wanna do that, I’m gonna show you”
Denny Hamlin gets 100% real on being called the ‘villain’ of NASCAR: “If you wanna do that, I’m gonna show you”
NASCAR 2025: Full weekend schedule for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway NASCAR 2025: Full weekend schedule for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway
NASCAR 2025: Full weekend schedule for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications