Loyalty is one of the most admired traits in any sport. In an era where pledging allegiance to a team for a lifetime is rare, Spire Motorsports may have hit the jackpot with Michael McDowell. 

During his appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR radio on June 1, the Spire Motorsports driver said he was "planning on being here [Spire] for the long haul."

“Yeah, I'm locked in. I'm not going anywhere unless they fire me. Which they can always do. You know how this sport works. I mean, when I came to Spire Motorsports, I came in to be here with the full intention to be here until in done, and then even when I'm done, I won't be done,” McDowell said.

McDowell spoke about the changing roles in life and his satisfaction with his current team. He even hinted at the possibility of taking up an executive role down the line.

“I'm very happy with where I'm at and I they're happy with where I'm at too, and we're just going to keep pushing this until we are a championship-winning team. Whether I'm behind the seat or part of that journey, you know 10 years from now we'll see, but that's where I'm at,” the 41-year-old racer admitted.

The No. 71 driver transitioning to an administrative position post-retirement won't be the first time a driver has taken over such a role. Jeff Gordon took on an executive role at Hendrick Motorsports back in 2021. 

Jeff Gordon hung up his racing boots back in 2015, but honored the promise he made by signing a lifetime contract in 1999. He made his transition from a NASCAR driver to a Vice-Chairman at his former team in 2021 and even became an equity partner. 

As of now, Michael McDowell has given no indication of an impending retirement. However, he seems to have a replacement in mind for when he does. 

Michael McDowell Picks His Successor at Spire Motorsports

With this year's silly season slowly taking shape, the chatter about who could take over the No 71 has already begun. McDowell himself has squashed the rumors about his retirement. 

However, this did not stop the 41-year-old from picking his successor for the future. The Daytona 500 winner picked the Spire Motorsports developmental driver, Tristian McKee.

“He’s really switched on, focused, and he’s the real deal. Jordan was asking when I’m gonna quit. I’m going to quit when he’s ready to go Cup racing, Lord willing,” McDowell said in an interview with Express back in May. 

15-year-old McKee so far has an impressive resume. He became the second-youngest ARCA winner in 2025 at Watkins Glen. Two years before that, in 2023, he became the youngest driver ever to win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model division. 

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit