Michael McDowell announces rare non-Cup appearance – Sports News
NASCAR Cup Series veteran Michael McDowell has introduced that he’ll make simply his fifth profession Craftsman Truck Series begin in 2026.
The 41-year-old driver of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet has determined to tug double responsibility in Florida to open the 2026 season, competing not solely in the Daytona 500, which he received in 2021, but in addition within the Truck Series’ Fresh From Florida 250 for Spire.
McDowell’s No. 7 Chevrolet shall be sponsored by Tibbetts Lumber Company as he takes on his second profession Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Should he handle to succeed in victory lane, it will mark his first-ever Truck Series win and imply he has received not less than one race in all three national collection.
“I have a great deal of respect for the Tibbetts Lumber team,” McDowell mentioned in a assertion. “They’ve helped me on my own property and their team truly combines outstanding service with a high-quality product.
“It’s special to have them racing with us at Daytona, and earning a win in all three national series is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time. I think we’ll have a real opportunity to do that on Friday night in Daytona in our Tibbetts Lumber Chevy Silverado.”
As for Tibbetts, company CEO, Russ Hallenbeck mentioned, “Tibbetts Lumber Co. is thrilled to be the primary sponsor of the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Michael McDowell.
“Being that we are headquartered in Florida, Daytona International Speedway has become a very special place for us come springtime. We are honored to be teaming up with Spire Motorsports and Michael this February.”
The Fresh From Florida 250 is scheduled to happen on Friday, February 13, the day after the America 250 Florida Duels, which is able to set the beginning grid for the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
McDowell competed twice within the Truck Series in 2025 for Spire, together with a Twenty sixth-place end at Daytona, adopted by a career-best Twelfth-place end the next race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Prior to those occasions, he had not competed in vans since a one-off appearance for ThorSport Racing in 2009.
As for the Cup Series, McDowell’s total document at Daytona is combined, with one win, one additional prime 5, three prime 10s, and 4 prime 20s in 16 makes an attempt – two of which he did not qualify for.
Another win, or not less than a prime 5/10, can be a welcome begin to the season for McDowell, who did not win in 2024 – his debut season for Spire after seven years with Front Row Motorsports. In truth, his most up-to-date collection win got here back in 2023 with the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard.
This yr, he’ll be battling for the bragging rights at Spire alongside Carson Hocevar as soon as again, with the teenager returning for his third season with the group, whereas Daniel Suarez has taken the place of Justin Haley, who now competes within the Truck Series for Kaulig Racing.
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