Michael McDowell, after joining Spire Motorsports for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season, began the 2026 Michael McDowell NASCAR Truck Series campaign in the No. 7 Chevrolet at Daytona. However, for the Atlanta race this weekend, he will be replaced by Kyle Busch.
Changes in Spire Motorsports Truck Series Lineup
McDowell had previously returned to the Craftsman Truck Series last year for the first time since 2009, making appearances at both Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, now known as EchoPark Speedway. Despite leading the most laps at Daytona this year, he finished 24th and will not feature in Atlanta’s lineup. The No. 07 Chevrolet, which McDowell drove last season, has been phased out, with McDowell opening the new season in the No. 7 truck instead.
Kyle Busch to Pilot the No. 7 Truck in Atlanta
Kyle Busch has confirmed plans to compete in eight Truck Series events with Spire Motorsports during this season, an increase from previous years, following relaxed NASCAR rules for veteran Cup Series drivers participating in lower divisions. Busch, who is sponsored by HendrickCars.com for the Atlanta event, holds the record for most Truck Series victories, boasting 67 wins across 19 years, with 13 consecutive winning seasons to his name.
Notably, Busch has secured eight career Truck Series victories at Atlanta, including two wins at the track with Spire Motorsports since 2024. After this weekend, he will return for his next scheduled start at Bristol Motor Speedway for the sixth race of the season on April 10, further cementing his reputation as a dominant force in the series.
Future Appearances and Team Developments
As of now, Michael McDowell does not have additional confirmed starts in the No. 7 truck for the remainder of the season. Connor Mosack is scheduled to drive the No. 7 beginning with the upcoming event in St. Petersburg, Florida, marking the first of his 12 planned races for 2026. In addition, four events on the No. 7 truck’s calendar remain without an assigned driver, indicating further potential shifts in Spire Motorsports’ lineup.
Meanwhile, Carson Hocevar, a full-time Cup Series teammate of McDowell, returns to action this weekend in the team’s No. 77 Chevrolet, having already competed in the season opener at Daytona.
How to Watch the Atlanta Race
The Fr8 208 at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) is set to air live on Fox Sports 1 at 1:30 p.m. ET this Saturday, February 21. Motorsport fans can tune in to watch Kyle Busch compete in place of McDowell, offering yet another chapter in the evolving landscape of the Michael McDowell NASCAR Truck Series. The broadcast promises to shine a spotlight on high-profile drivers and could shape the trajectory of the Truck Series season ahead.
