Michael McDowell will replace Josh Williams in the No. 11 Chevy for Kaulig Racing during the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen this weekend. This Michael McDowell Kaulig Racing replacement marks the second consecutive week Kaulig has enlisted a Spire Motorsports driver to fill in, reflecting strategic choices ahead of the season’s final stages.
McDowell Steps Into Kaulig Racing’s No. 11 at Watkins Glen
After Carson Hocevar finished sixth at Iowa in the same No. 11 car last weekend, Kaulig Racing is turning to Michael McDowell for the road course challenge at Watkins Glen. McDowell, who has one Xfinity Series victory from his 2016 win at Road America, has not competed in Xfinity since that season but brings valuable experience, especially on road courses. Kaulig Racing appears eager to assess the performance of their program with McDowell’s feedback and expertise.
The team’s move to bring in Cup drivers from outside its own roster suggests Kaulig is cautious about overextending its regular Cup drivers at this stage of the season. Instead, it is tapping talent from Spire Motorsports, which already fields cars across multiple NASCAR series. This collaboration provides Kaulig with capable drivers while allowing its primary Cup drivers a more measured approach to their schedules.
Spire Motorsports’ Expanding Role Raises Questions About Future Partnerships
Spire Motorsports’ involvement in various NASCAR tiers—from ARCA and the Truck Series to the Cup and now Xfinity levels—adds intrigue to their growing presence in the sport. With Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell recently piloting Kaulig’s No. 11 vehicle, speculation is mounting about Spire’s potential intentions to buy or partner with Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity operation.
Notably, Spire’s driver development pipeline is gaining strength. Corey Day, although tied to Hendrick Motorsports, has spent considerable time racing with Spire in ARCA and Trucks. Additionally, young talent like Tristan McKee, a recently crowned 15-year-old winner in the CARS Tour and a notable competitor in the Trans-Am TA2 series, represents Spire’s commitment to nurturing emerging drivers from an early stage.
Powerful Backers Fuel Spire Motorsports’ Ambitions
Behind Spire Motorsports stands a significant financial foundation, including investments from TWG Motorsports and TWG Global. This broad network links Spire to a range of prominent sports organizations, such as the Cadillac F1 Team, Andretti Global, Wayne Taylor Racing, and major U.S. and international sports franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Sparks, and Chelsea F.C. This level of backing equips Spire Motorsports with the resources needed to expand its footprint, possibly by acquiring an Xfinity Series team to complement its driver development and competitive strategies.
For Kaulig Racing, collaborating with Spire through drivers like McDowell may provide valuable data to refine their cars and approach for upcoming events, while also hinting at a potential future partnership or merger in the Xfinity Series. McDowell’s performance at Watkins Glen could be pivotal for both organizations as they evaluate their options moving forward into the next seasons of NASCAR competition.
