Michael McDowell’s 2025 NASCAR achievements reached a milestone this weekend, as he secured a personal best for Top-5 finishes in a single season during the Bank of America Roval 400. Racing at Charlotte, McDowell finished fifth, marking his third Top-5 finish in the NASCAR Cup Series this year.
Breaking His Own Record at Charlotte
On Sunday, McDowell completed the Roval 400 with a solid fifth place, despite not having won a race yet this season. This result gives him three Top-5 finishes in 2025, surpassing his previous season-high of two, a number he had only managed five times before, including 2019 and consecutively from 2021 through 2024, all while driving with Front Row Motorsports.
“We had top-five speed, and we sort of stayed there all day long,”
said McDowell about his performance at Charlotte’s Roval, reflecting on the consistency of his pace throughout the race. He emphasized the day required careful management of track position and a focus on maintaining his position.
“I’m bummed we didn’t have a little bit more speed to contend. When I would push hard, I could hang with the No. 88 (Shane van Gisbergen), No. 5 (Kyle Larson) and the No. 20 (Christopher Bell) for a little while. But then I would fade, so I sort of had to run my pace to keep the tires underneath me.”
– Michael McDowell, Driver
Season Overview and Road Course Success
Through the first 31 races of 2025, McDowell, now 40, has claimed one pole, three Top-5 finishes, and five Top-10 results. Notably, this year’s Top-5s have all come at road course events: starting with a fifth-place in Mexico City, a fourth at Sonoma, and rounding out with fifth at the Roval.
Currently ranked 21st in the overall points standings, McDowell’s consistency at diverse venues highlights his adaption to the season’s challenges.
“We’ll keep building on our road course program,”
he said following Sunday’s race, reaffirming his focus and confidence.
“A (three) top-fives this year, so that’s good. We’ve got good speed, but we just need a little bit more.”
– Michael McDowell, Driver
Transition to Spire Motorsports
This season marked McDowell’s transition to Spire Motorsports after a lengthy tenure with Front Row Motorsports, which spanned seven years. His most recent victory was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Circuit in August 2023, which was 80 races ago. In total, McDowell has two career wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, with the first coming in the 2021 Daytona 500.
Looking Ahead After New Highs
Michael McDowell’s 2025 NASCAR achievements stand as a testament to his persistence and continuous growth, especially when measured against top competitors like Shane van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell, and Kyle Larson. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether McDowell and Spire Motorsports can maintain this momentum or even break through with a long-awaited return to victory lane. His focused approach to road courses and steady adaptability suggest that more milestones could be within reach before the checkered flag waves on 2025.
