Last week, besides the Tyler Reddick and Chris Buescher wrecks, another big story that dominated the NASCAR buzz was Michael McDowell‘s move to Spire Motorsports. McDowell, the #34 Mustang driver, reasoned, “I wanted to have some long-term security and have the ability to race for several years to come. And that wasn’t an option at Front Row.”

Now, Dale Earnhardt Jr has weighed in on the possible reasons behind McDowell’s decision. Additionally, the former Cup driver also made a bold prediction about McDowell’s future performance, suggesting it will be similar to what he has achieved before.

With what influence is McDowell going to Spire, according to Dale Earnhardt Jr?

The No. 34 Front Row Motorsports driver, who has been with the team since 2018, won the 2021 Daytona 500 and last year’s Cup race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with the team. Michael McDowell has made 229 of his 478 career Cup starts with Front Row, owned by Bob Jenkins. This season, he secured pole positions at Atlanta and Talladega and started on the front row for the Daytona 500. Unfortunately, McDowell crashed while defending his lead at Talladega, one of a series-high four races he’s failed to finish this year. Despite this, his P10 finish at Darlington bumped him up three spots to 23rd in the points standings from 26th.

Given the tough season so far, McDowell has decided to move to Spire Motorsports for the remainder of his career. He received praise from Spire driver Corey LaJoie, who said,  “[…] The group that’s going to come with, they’re going to certainly be an asset to the team.“ However, Dale Earnhardt Jr has a slightly different perspective, suggesting that McDowell’s performance at Spire might not change much from his time at Front Row.

In a recent episode of his podcast, Dale Jr discussed the reasons behind Michael McDowell’s move. He said,  “Michael told me, alright, […] I’ve got a lot of influence over who’s on this car and how this car goes to the racetrack and how well it’s prepared. I’m assuming he says whatever success we have, I feel very responsible for. He doesn’t say that in a bragging way. He’s more like, I want that input and I get it. And I feel like the success we’ve had is because of my ability to have some influence. I think that he would not be going to the Spire team without that same influence.”

Talking about McDowell’s potential future at Spire Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr predicted, “I think it’s, it’s probably similar in terms of performance and results, maybe better than, than what he’s had at Front Row. I don’t think he’ll regret it at all. So, while I think when I watch the cars on the racetrack today, I’m not sure he’s getting in a better faster race car, but I believe he, if he’ll continue to have that influence, which I’m sure he’s gonna get guaranteed of that. He’ll, he will be able to get those, those cars even better.”

Besides that, Dale Earnhardt Jr also speculated about what this move could mean for Spire Motorsports and if it might be connected to the rumors about Stewart-Haas Racing potentially selling a charter or two.

Junior thinks McDowell’s move might be tied to SHR’s charter sale

Dale Earnhardt Jr delved into the topic, suggesting that McDowell’s switch could hint at something bigger. He speculated that it might be connected to ongoing discussions involving Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) charters hitting the market.

Taking a guess, Dale Jr said, “I have no insight, but I’m just feeling like Front Row a form of some sort of a front row Stewart. Haass connection happens and one of the drivers that’s at Stewart Haass may end up in that 34 car.” This hints at a potential merger or acquisition.

Reflecting on the sudden announcement from last week, if that merger happens, the FRM/SHR lineup could look like Josh Berry in the #4 car, Chase Briscoe in #14, Noah Gragson in #10 or #34, and Todd Gilliand in #34/38. That sounds plausible. SHR might sell two charters, with RFK getting one and Trackhouse the other. What do you think about the possibility?