Michael McDowell Confesses Dover Is a Track That ‘Takes His Breath Away’

Spire Motorsports’ veteran driver Michael McDowell has shared his thoughts on the significant challenge that Dover offers.

Michael McDowell Confesses Dover Is a Track That ‘Takes His Breath Away’

Michael McDowell (Via @NASCAR/X)

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The 2025 season marked a new beginning for Michael McDowell, as he made his debut for the No:71 Chevy team of Spire Motorsports after seven strong years with Front Row Motorsports. He failed to deliver, solid finishes in the Ovals and when it came to road courses, where he was expected to deliver, saw Shane van Gisbergen domination, breaking his heart.

Now the racing is back to the Ovals, with the Dover, a.k.a Monster Mile, set to host the race this Sunday. It’s one of the most challenging tracks in the schedule and Michael McDowell has a mixed experience at the venue in his career.  He made 24 starts at the tracks, and has an average finish of 30.8, with not a single top 10 or leading lap to his name.

There are only three tracks where he has performed worst in the current schedule. More than any other racer, the veteran knowns this fact and admitted that it’s a track that takes the racers breath away in every event. The commitment and speed factors associated with track often put the team in a deep hole during races.  

Dover has been one of those tracks that is just so tough for me. I think Dover is fun because of the commitment, the speed, and the way that you drop into the hole. It is just a cool experience. The track will still take your breath away.

Michael McDowell said via Speedwaymedia.com.

Now, with back-to-back top-10 races under his belt in the recent races, he is ready for the challenge and redeem himself in one of his worst tracks. The 2024 season though gave him some hope as if not for mechanical issue with his car, he would have scored a top-10 finish. This gives him the inspiration to fight for a solid finish at Dover.

It’s nerve-wracking when you unload and qualify. I enjoy the challenge, I just haven’t run well there. Last year was the first year where we were putting together a really solid race, and we finished top-10 in the First Stage, but I had a penalty on pit road, and then the right-front hub broke. It felt like that was the first time we could contend for a top-10 or a top-five finish there.

Michael McDowell added.

Michael McDowell is determined to enjoy the tough challenge

The star driver has learned a lot from the mistakes he has been making at the track over the years and is determined finally make it good use. McDowell has a champion mentality, as he enjoys racing in tracks where he struggles.

Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell (Via @SpireMotorsport/X)

I am going to build off that and focus on last year and not the 14 years before that, because it has been a tough place for me. That being said, I enjoy that. I enjoy the places where we struggle. I enjoy the struggle.

Michael McDowell said.

The veteran asserted that he was 60% close to ending his poor streak at the track with FRM in the 2025 season and now in 2025 with the new team, he is hoping he 100% there. He is more determined that he has ever been to make it happen.

I want to focus on fixing it and I am determined to fix it. So, for me it is one of those places where the challenge creates some sort of opportunity, and last year we were 60 percent of the way to fixing it. Hopefully, this year we can fix it all the way and have a good run.

Michael McDowell added.

The comments from the veteran driver shows newfound confidence and resolve. It would be interesting to see how these factors are going to affect his performance and if he can finally end the Dover curse that has been keeping him down over the years.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals Shane van Gisbergen’s “Ultimate F*** You” Move at Sonoma