Every NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Current Contract Status in 2026
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
Despite a tough start to the 2026 season, 2021 Daytona 500 Champion Michael McDowell said that he plans to return to Spire Motorsports in 2027 during a recent interview.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has served as a major turning point for Spire Motorsports.
Not only did the team break a five-plus-year losing streak, but, for the first time in their history, they scored two wins, with Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez taking their respective entries to victory lane.
In fact, both Suarez and Hocevar are sitting comfortably inside the Chase cutoff with 12 races to go, with the No. 77 team 77 points to the good and the No. 7 team 72 above the cutoff spot.
With all their success, it may be easy to overlook Spire’s third entry, the No. 71 driven by Michael McDowell.
McDowell signed with the team in early 2023, during his final year at Front Row Motorsports, with most of the talk surrounding his deal with the team focused on Spire as his long-time home.
But, with the team failing to keep pace with its teammates, sitting 31 points outside the top 16, and bringing up the rear in team average finish, fans have questioned just how long that future could be.
Despite this speculation and the rumors of a wild upcoming Silly Season in the Cup Series garage, McDowell seems confident of his spot at Spire, telling Sirius XM NASCAR Radio this week that he doesn’t plan on going anywhere.
“I’m locked in, I’m not going anywhere. Unless they fire me, which they always can do, you know how this sport works.” — Michael McDowell
While he did joke that he could be fired if Spire were to be unhappy with his performance, something Spire has done as recently as last season, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion again returned to the talk of longevity at SpireSpire, reminding listeners it was a key part of his move from FRM.
McDowell even hinted that after his full-time racing career is over, he could return on a part-time basis.
“When I came to Spire Motorsports, I came in with the full intentions of being here until I’m done,” McDowell said. “And then even when I’m done, I won’t be done.”
Still, the pressure to perform is there, with McDowell saying that, as he sees it, he’s not the only one happy with his position within the team.
“I’m planning on being here for the long haul, and you know, obviously in life things change, and things can happen, but I’m very happy with where I’m at,” McDowell said. “I think they’re happy with where I’m at, too.”
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
If McDowell is locked into his spot for the long haul, just like his teammate Carson Hocevar, who signed a mega deal that will keep him there into the 2030s earlier this season, then there is no pressure to find his replacement.
That works well for Spire, who has already taken on one of the most aggressive developmental plans in recent memory with 15-year-old Tristan McKee.
McKee splashed onto the scene last season, winning in his ARCA Menards Series debut just a few days after his 15th birthday. Since then, he has continued winning in the ARCA Menards Series East, with three so far in 2026, and in late models.
While there is no projection for where he could be in the next three to five years, McDowell thinks he could be his successor in the No. 71, saying at Watkins Glen that he sees the young driver as the team’s future driver.
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