Michael McDowell’s No. 71 car failed NASCAR’s inspection process twice before the Coca-Cola 600, resulting in a crew member ejection and the loss of pit stall selection privileges for the upcoming 600-mile race. This incident occurred just as the team prepared for one of the longest and most demanding events of the NASCAR season.
Inspection Failures Lead to Penalties for No. 71 Team
Following NASCAR rules, when a car fails inspection twice, the team must eject a crew member and forfeits their pit stall choice before the race. For Michael McDowell’s No. 71 team, this meant parting ways with one of its members, likely the car chief, as is customary. Griffin Ridder, McDowell’s car chief, has already faced a similar ejection earlier this season at Phoenix, marking a recurring disciplinary challenge for the team.
According to reports from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, McDowell’s double inspection failure was the only such violation ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, with all other teams successfully passing in one or two attempts. This isolated issue sheds light on the scrutiny the No. 71 team faces in their technical preparations.
Current Performance of McDowell’s Team This Season
Despite recent setbacks, Michael McDowell has delivered strong performances for Spire Motorsports in 2024. Crew chief Travis Peterson, who joined McDowell from Front Row Motorsports, has helped the team display excellent qualifying speed and competitiveness, evidenced by leading 41 laps so far this season. However, the No. 71 car has yet to secure a top-10 or top-five race finish.
Positioned 20th in the overall points standings, McDowell trails closely behind his skilled teammate Carson Hocevar by just two points. The team’s steady progress throughout the season hints at the potential to make a more significant impact during the remaining races, especially if they can find the extra performance boost needed to break into stronger finishing positions.
Context of Spire Motorsports’ Growth and Challenges
Spire Motorsports expanded to three charters last year, signaling their ambition to strengthen the organization and improve race results. This growth phase has not been without challenges, reflected by the inconsistencies including car inspections and race finishes. Still, with backing from key investors like Group 1001, Gainbridge, and TWG Motorsports, the team maintains a solid financial foundation to support continued development.
Comparatively, McDowell’s team demonstrates better form than other Spire entries such as Justin Haley’s No. 7 car, which continues to face growing pains during this expansion. The focus remains on refining the team’s processes and gaining competitive advantages in upcoming events.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
Michael McDowell’s success in last season’s Cup Series, where he led in pole awards with six poles, highlights his qualifying capability, a strength that has largely carried over to his time at Spire Motorsports. For instance, McDowell earned the pole position at Las Vegas and posted other strong qualifying runs, reinforcing the team’s speed during preliminary stages.
Nevertheless, race-day outcomes have fallen short of expectations, with three finishes in 11th place indicating a struggle to convert qualifying positions into top-tier race results. The upcoming Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte offers a critical opportunity for the No. 71 team to change their fortunes. Historically, Charlotte has not been kind to McDowell on ovals, with only three top-10 finishes, his best being an eighth-place finish in the 2022 Coca-Cola 600.
Success in this event could provide momentum for McDowell and the team moving into 2025, where improvements in race strategy and execution might translate into stronger overall performances and higher championship standings.
