Everyone loves a good underdog story, don’t they? It’s what makes NASCAR entertaining to watch. And what better way to remember this than the 2021 Daytona 500. It was the final lap and Team Penske was looking at a 1-2 finish at the season opener. In a mad dash to the checkered flag resulted in a fiery crash that saw the Fords of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano out of the race, Michael McDowell, with 66 to 1 odds riding against him, crossed the finish line as a winner for the first time in 358 Cup Starts. 

For years, McDowell has been seen as the nice guy of NASCAR, the adorable veteran, and the ‘teddy bear’ of the garage. But beneath that exterior lies a fierce competitor, with a fire inside him that burns as bright as any driver competing for the championship.

The reality behind that goofy exterior? A mind as sharp as a sword and a will to win that surpasses everything.

“People get it wrong,” he recently admitted in an interview with Jeff Gluck. “They see me out of the car, and yeah, I’m genuinely happy. But when it comes to my job, when it comes to the process, the procedure, I’m incredibly intense. You see it with some guys: Joey [Logano] is a super nice guy out of the race car, and then in the race car, he’s a complete maniac. I don’t hit the [radio] button and I won’t get out and lose it, but mentally, I get there.”

Joey Logano has been known for his aggressive driving style and ‘devil-may-care’ attitude. Last season was enough evidence of the matter. From going out in the cutoff race during the Round of 12 with an average finish of going beyond 15th place, Logano came back in stunning fashion and claimed the 2024 Cup Series. When people questioned his title win, he had a simple response. “I can’t hear it because my trophies, they kind of echo around me. It’s kind of crazy.

Even racing legend, Kyle Petty agreed when he said, “When he takes that helmet off, you want Joey [Logano] to come to your house every day and hang out with you… But he puts that helmet on, and he’s the caliber of race car driver, that of a Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Richard Petty and David Pearson – that golden era where people weren’t friends… Joey already has them beat like Earnhardt used to.” 

And it’s the same scenario with Michael McDowell. If his Daytona win isn’t enough proof, his presence in the history books is convincing enough. McDowell scored four consecutive superspeedway pole awards in 2024, at Atlanta, Talladega, Daytona, and then Atlanta again. For context, this is a record held by the likes of Bill Elliott and other legendary drivers. It’s this balance that McDowell has figured out perfectly, being a likable yet competitive driver.

When he won the 2021 Daytona 500, in addition to the love from fans, drivers reached out on social media congratulating him on his achievement. Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Denny Hamlin are just a few of the names.

Now, with years of Cup Series starts to his name, NASCAR’s ‘nice guy’ has broken silence on his retirement plans.

Is Michael McDowell retiring soon?

Over 500 Cup Series starts and his age going over 40, it’s natural to wonder if a driver has thoughts of retiring anytime soon. Running a full-time Cup Series seat for over 9 months a year isn’t by any means easy. Martin Truex Jr.’s retirement this year to get away from the hectic schedule showed that. But what about McDowell? Is he looking at the same path?

Fans of the driver will be happy to know McDowell isn’t planning on leaving anytime soon. After his 2021 Daytona win, he knows he has what it takes to go for the win. Reflecting on retirement, he said, “For so many years, it was just like, “Man, I hope I get to do this one more year.” And it’s just gotten better and better, and then obviously winning (at the Daytona 500 in 2021 and the Indianapolis road course in 2023). But I’m never comfortable. I don’t know how long that road is. I feel like right now I’m at my prime, my peak. I’m running really well, so I want to keep doing it at a high level.”

His stats from the 2025 season back his words up. McDowell is the only driver this season to finish in the top 15 in all three races. He sits comfortably in 8th place with 85 points to his name. His next big target would be a strong finish at Phoenix, not just to carry the momentum, but to ensure his home race goes well.