CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael McDowell, a former Daytona 500 winner, said Wednesday he will not return to Front Row Motorsports after this season.
The 39-year-old has been with Front Row Motorsports since 2018. McDowell won the Daytona 500 in 2021 and last year's Cup race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course while driving the No. 34 Ford for Front Row.
He said he's not retiring and is looking for a new seat in the Cup Series.
“Rest assured, there’s still a lot of racing left this season, and I’m fully committed to doing whatever it takes to get FRM another win and another playoff berth,” McDowell said. “We’re not slowing down until the checkered flag flies in Phoenix. I look forward to continue driving for many years to come and can’t wait to share my future plans with you all soon.”
McDowell has made 228 of his 477 career Cup starts with the organization. He has scored eight of his nine career top-five finishes and 35 of his 40 career top 10s while at Front Row Motorsports.
“Over half of my NASCAR Cup Series starts have been made under the FRM banner, and I’m thankful for each and every one of them,” McDowell said. “With that being said, my family and I have made the bittersweet decision that it’s time for us to embark on the next chapter of our motorsports journey, making 2024 my final season as the driver of the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports.”
Team owner Bob Jenkins thanked McDowell for his contributions to the organization and said his wins at Daytona and Indy — both of which earned McDowell playoff berths — "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," Jenkins said. “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.”
McDowell won the pole at Atlanta and Talladega this year and started on the front row for the Daytona 500. He crashed while defending his lead coming to the checkered flag at Talladega, one of a series-high four races he failed to finish this year.
He is 26th in the Cup standings entering Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway.
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