by Jason Keil | Photography by Krista Jasso
Michael McDowell didn’t have a backup plan. He knew since he was 11 years old, growing up in Glendale and racing go-karts, that he wanted to be a professional driver.
The one-time Deer Valley High School student made his NASCAR debut in 2007, plugging away with smaller race teams until winning stock car racing’s most prestigious race, the Daytona 500, in 2021. Catapulted to marquee status, he joined Spire Motorsports this season, landing the team’s first-ever Cup Series pole position at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas.
“You’re just pushing hard to prove everybody right who has put confidence and trust in you,” says the 40-year-old.
Even though he lives life in the fast lane, McDowell remains grounded. Currently living in North Carolina, McDowell is preparing to return to where it all began. He’ll be participating in NASCAR Championship Weekend, scheduled at Phoenix Raceway from Oct. 31-Nov. 2. He shares how his family and faith inspire him both on and off the track.
Is there anything you’re excited to do while you’re back home?
I pretty much stick to the basics. I go see my family, and I hit a couple of the local restaurants that are important to me, because I don’t get good Mexican food here in North Carolina.
You seem like a fairly humble guy in a sport with big personalities.
I didn’t start out like that. I had an arrogance, but I don’t feel like I was that guy who was always super flashy about it. It was more internal than external, which is probably why it appears that way. But honestly, when you struggle and the performance isn’t there and the results aren’t there, it’s very easy to stay humble. Some of that just happens organically, but that never really shook my belief or even confidence. It just feels like it’s a part of the journey.
How does your faith factor into your success?
My faith is like the foundational blocks of who I am. It affects every area of my life. It’s who I am. Having a purpose helps you to manage life and manage the good times and the bad times and the highs and the lows and the difficult seasons and the fun seasons. I feel like it gives you perspective and clarity. It’s not always about you, and it’s not always about the race. There’s more to life than being fixated on yourself.
Your adopted son, Lucas, is an inspiration as well.
We were able to bring Lucas home [from China] when he was 3 years old. He’s been a part of our family, and he fits in so well. It’s been really special to see my biological kids embrace their brother, and they don’t know any different. He’s had different surgeries and setbacks, but he’s a fighter. He’s at school right now, and flourishing, doing all the things that normal teenagers do. He’s super kind, and he’s really caring, so it’s easy for him to make friends.
What’s one of the most important things that you’ve learned from being a foster/adoptive parent?
There is a void in adopted children that is hard for them to overcome. It’s not easy for kids to know that their mom and dad left. It’s our story that God adopted us into His family. Before Lucas was born, God knew that he would be a part of our family. He was hand-picked and selected. God’s will is for kids to grow up in loving homes with their biological mom and dad. But we live in a broken world. Through God’s redemptive spirit, he had a plan for Lucas. God took something that was broken and messy and redeemed it. That’s what makes adoption special.
