Michael McDowell made his 500th career NASCAR Cup Series start Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
McDowell, driver of the No. 34 Ford, took the green flag for the Xfinity 500 from the 17th position, becoming just the 47th driver in Cup Series history to eclipse the 500-start mark. Other active drivers to have accomplished this feat are Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski.
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The Phoenix, Arizona, native is in his 17th year at the sport’s top level, a full-time racer since 2017. McDowell joined Front Row Motorsports in 2018, where he has piloted its No. 34 Ford in the past seven seasons. The milestone comes at the site of his first start, March 30, 2008 at Martinsville.
“I’m super thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had to stay in the sport,” McDowell said, “and they haven’t always been all glamorous but I mean, I’ve gotten to drive race cars for the last 20 years, and I’ve gotten to race in the Cup Series the last 16, and I don’t take that for granted. I know how tough it is. I know these seats are desired and coveted, and I’m glad that I have one.”
McDowell scored his first career win in the 2021 Daytona 500, his crowning moment coming in the “Great American Race.” His second victory came at the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dominating a race on its road course in 2023 with crew chief Travis Peterson atop the pit box.
“For anyone to have raced in this sport for as long as Michael has is pretty remarkable, especially with some of the names he’s included with,” Peterson said in a release. “It’s an awesome honor to be on the box for his 500th start and I know the team is excited as well to be a part of this milestone.”
This season, McDowell has notched two top fives and seven top 10s in addition to six Busch Light Pole Awards, the first six of his career.
McDowell finished Sunday’s race in 33rd place.