Travis Peterson has signed a multiyear agreement to become the crew chief for Michael McDowell and the No. 71 team at Spire Motorsports starting next season. Peterson and McDowell currently collaborate at Front Row Motorsports, where they have been paired on the No. 34 team since 2023. Together, they achieved victory on the Indianapolis road course last year.
Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt expressed his excitement about Peterson joining the team, highlighting their previous collaboration at Hendrick Motorsports. Peterson’s growth as a leader and crew chief impressed Duchardt, who believes he will bring valuable expertise to the crew chief lineup and complement Luke and Rodney. Duchardt eagerly anticipates what the trio can accomplish together.
In the upcoming season, Spire Motorsports will field three entries, including McDowell, Carson Hocevar, and a yet-to-be-named third driver. McDowell’s team, the No. 71, will transition into a full-fledged Spire Motorsports effort, necessitating the addition of a crew chief as Zane Smith departs. Currently, the No. 71 team consists of members from both Trackhouse Racing and Spire Motorsports.
Peterson boasts previous experience with JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports, having served as a lead engineer for Jack Roush before joining Front Row Motorsports. The 2025 season will mark his third year as a Cup Series crew chief.
Peterson expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to join Spire Motorsports, emphasizing the vision presented by Doug and Dickerson. The prospect of being integral to building the organization and having a stake in its success appealed to both Peterson and McDowell. The energetic atmosphere and dedicated team ownership at Spire Motorsports resonated with Peterson, who appreciated the clear direction and shared commitment to winning. The genuine and open communication between Peterson and the team leadership played a significant role in his decision to join. They instantly connected on a personal level, fostering a strong working relationship where they can discuss both difficult and easy matters. Their ability to experience victories and defeats together without barriers or bureaucracy is invaluable. Peterson believes that maintaining this driver/crew chief pairing will lead to continuous growth and improvement over time, which is their ultimate goal at Spire Motorsports.
Photo from Travis Peterson Instagram
