Michael McDowell

Michael McDowell is an American professional stock car racing driver, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He currently drives the No.34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports. Apart from the Cup series career, McDowell has also competed in open-wheel and sports car racing.

McDowell started his career in open-wheel cars, he competed in Formula Renault and Champ Car. He was also part of sporting race events like the Rolex Sports Car Series and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2006, he entered Stock car racing and made his debut in the Cup series in 2008. But after the crash at Texas Motor Speedway, he lost his seat at Michael Waltrip Racing and did not run full-time until 2017 in the cup series again. He was part of all 36 races that year, as part of Leavine Family Racing and later with Front Row Motorsports.

As of August 2024, Michael races for Front Row Motorsports driving the No.34 Ford, and stands at 21st in the driver's rank with 431 points. McDowell is in his sixth season with Front Row, having joined the team before the 2018 season. In 2024, he was a part of 23 races, with zero wins, six top 10s, two top 5s, and three poles.

Michael McDowell’s Early Life

Michael McDowell was born on 21st December, 1984, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. McDowell started racing at the age of three on BMX bicycles. Then at the age of eight, he started racing in cartwheels with the help of his mother. In 2002, Michael advanced to Formula Renault with World Speed Motorsports and won in tracks like Infineon Raceway, Lasvegand, and Firebird International Raceway in this rookie season. In 2003, he raced in the Star Mazda Series 2003 and won at Sebring and Road America, he later won the championship in 2004.

McDowell, while being part of the Star Mazda series, met Rob Finlay and formed a significant partnership, which led him to drive a Porsche 996 in the Grand-Am Cup series for Finlay Motorsports. In 2005, he advanced to the Rolex Sports Car Series, in a BMW-powered Riley teaming up with Memo Gidley. He became the youngest driver to be on a podium in a Grand-Am Race at Barber Motorsports Park. Michael's achievements also include a podium finish at Daytona International Speedway. McDowell's ability to compete in both open-wheel and sports car races on the same weekend showed his talent and made way for him to move to stock car racing. By 2006, he was part of the ARCA RE/MAX Series and won multiple races and won Rookie of the Year award, making him one of the rising stars in the motorsports world.

Michael McDowell’s Personal Life

Michael is married to his wife Jami McDowell and together they have five children. Their family plays a significant role in his life and often shares photos with them on social media. McDowell is a Christian and his faith is an important aspect of his both personal and professional life.

Michael McDowell’s Wife

Jami McDowell is the wife of the NASCAR driver Michael McDowell. Jami has been a significant presence in his life both on and off the track. The couple married in 2008 and she is a devoted wife and mother, managing the family of five and also supporting Michael's racing career. She is seen accompanying him at various events and races. The couple's strong relationship is evident through their public appearance and the way they often share family moments on social media.

Michael McDowell’s Kids

Michael's family journey began in 2009 with the birth of their first child, Trace. In the following years, they welcomed two daughters, Emma and Rylie. In 2016, Michael and Jami expanded their family by adopting a three-year-old child from China, whom they named Lucas. In February 2023, the couple welcomed their third daughter, Isabella. Post the birth of their fifth child, Michael McDowell took to social media. He posted images of the children with both parents, with the caption: “A lot to be thankful for. Happy #Thanksgiving from our family to yours!”

Michael McDowell’s Social Media

Michael McDowell is active on social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram, keeping his fans updated on his racing career and offering glimpses into his life off the track. Michael posts regularly on instagram about his personal life and day-to-day adventures alongside his racing. Daniel Suarez has nearly 1248 posts on his Instagram, followed by 47,600 people.

https://www.instagram.com/mc_driver/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mcdowellmotorsports

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMcdowell/

Michael McDowell’s Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Michael has an estimated net worth of $ 10 million in 2024. His net worth primarily comes from his stock car racing. As a full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, McDowell earns from his racing contracts, sponsorships, and prize money. Apart from racing, Michaels also earns from his business ventures, he owns a Trackhouse Motorplex karting facility with Justin Marks.

Michael McDowell’s Brand Ambassador

Michael serves as a brand ambassador for several prominent companies, representing and promoting their products and services. Some of them are as follows:

• Michael McDowell is an ambassador for Keen, a brand known for its durable and stylish footwear and outdoor gear.

• Michael is a spokesperson for Love’s Travel Stops, McDowell promotes the company's wide range of services and amenities for travellers.

• McDowell represents VFD, known for their unique and high-quality fire safety products.

Michael McDowell’s Investments

McDowell, in partnership with Justin Marks, owns the Trackhouse Motorplex, a karting facility located 30 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina. Opened in October 2012, the facility is modelled after a karting track in Parma, Italy, and serves as a venue for karting enthusiasts and aspiring racers. This investment highlights McDowell’s commitment to the development of motorsports at the grassroots level.

Michael McDowell’s Career Stats

NASCAR Cup Series Career

• Total Races: 485

• Wins: 2

• Podium Places (Top 10 Finishes): 43

• Poles: 3

• Best Finish in Points: 15th (2023)

• First Race: 2008 Goody's Cool Orange 500 (Martinsville)

• Last Race: 2024 Cook Out 400 (Richmond)

• First Win: 2021 Daytona 500 (Daytona)

• Last Win: 2023 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Indianapolis G.P.)

NASCAR Xfinity Series Career

• Total Races: 94

• Wins: 1

• Podium Places (Top 10 Finishes): 20

• Poles: 2

• Best Finish in Points: 93rd (2016)

• First Race: 2007 O'Reilly Challenge (Texas)

• Last Race: 2016 Road America 180 (Road America)

• First Win: 2016 Road America 180 (Road America)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career

• Total Races: 2

• Wins: 0

• Podium Places (Top 10 Finishes): 0

• Poles: 0

• Best Finish in Points: 111th (2009)

• First Race: 2007 Kroger 200 (Martinsville)

• Last Race: 2009 Heluva Good! 200 (Loudon)

Michael McDowell’s NASCAR Records

• 2004 Star Mazda Championship Champion

• 2021 Daytona 500 Winner

• 2023 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard Winner

Michael McDowell’s Race Wins/ Podium Finishes

NASCAR Cup Series

• Daytona 500 (2021) at Front Row Motorsports - 1st

• Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (2023) at Front Row Motorsports - 1st

NASCAR Xfinity Series

• Road America 180 (2016) at Joe Gibbs Racing - 1st

Michael McDowell’s Contract

Current Contract

• Team: Front Row Motorsports

• Car Number: No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

• Role: Full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series

• Contract Duration: McDowell has been with Front Row Motorsports since 2018. McDowell has announced his departure from Front Row Motorsports at the end of the 2024 season.

Past Contracts

Leavine Family Racing (2017)

• Car Number: No. 95

• Role: Full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series

• Notable Achievement: McDowell ran all 36 races during the 2017 season, marking a significant step in his Cup Series career.

Michael Waltrip Racing (2008-2009)

• Car Number: No. 00

• Role: Part-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series

• Notable Achievement: McDowell gained attention for his performance and an infamous crash at Texas Motor Speedway during this period.

Michael McDowell’s Awards

• 2007 ARCA Re/MAX Series Rookie of the Year

• 2003 Star Mazda Championship Rookie of the Year

Michael McDowell’s Cars

NASCAR Cup Series

• No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse (2024) at Front Row Motorsports

• No. 95 Toyota Camry (2017) at Leavine Family Racing

• No. 00 Toyota Camry (2008-2009) at Michael Waltrip Racing

ARCA RE/MAX Series

• No. 2 Dodge (2007) at Eddie Sharp Racing

Grand-Am Cup Series

• No. 15 Ford Mustang (2006) at Finlay Motorsports