2021 Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell has expressed optimism and confidence about his new teammate, Daniel Suarez, for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Recently, McDowell praised the Mexican driver’s determination and proven experience in NASCAR’s top-tier series.After spending five years at Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, Suarez has moved to Spire Motorsports to drive the #7 Chevrolet in 2026. There’s a lot of expectation from him, and he will look to start his new chapter on a high note. His best season in the series came in 2022, when he secured his career's first Cup Series win and finished in 10th spot in the standings. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSpeaking to the media, Michael McDowell believed that the addition of Daniel Suarez to the team not only brought his Cup Series experience but also his tenacity and drive to compete at the highest level of the game.Sharing his thoughts on having Suarez as a new teammate, McDowell said, via NASCAR.com:“I think he brings experience. Also too, don’t forget he’s a Cup winner. There’s not a lot of Cup winners that are available and that are in the series, really. And he’s got a fire and a hunger. You guys have seen that, and we’ve all seen it. "If we give him cars and put him in positions, he’s going to fight hard to get a win. In the format that we have right now, that’s what it’s all about. So we’ve just got to create those opportunities for all of our teams and feel like he’s a guy that will go out there and get it.”Michael McDowell dismissed his NASCAR retirement rumorsMichael McDowell is not going anywhere, as he has a plan to compete for a couple more years in the NASCAR Cup Series. The 40-year-old felt that he was fresh and still competitive enough to beat any young driver. He has won two races and scored 47 top-10 finishes in 528 Cup Series starts.During the season-finale championship race at Phoenix, McDowell spoke about his retirement rumors and said, as quoted by Motorsports.com:“Well, do I see that in the future. Not in the near future. I'm still very excited about showing up to the race track, knowing we can run well, and challenge for wins. For me, that's what motivates me to keep going. So I don't see (retirement) in the near future but you know how this sport is -- it's just a matter of time before the next fast guy comes to replace me and it's just when is he ready and am I still performing at that point.”Spire Motorsports’ 2026 NASCAR Cup Series lineup looks solid. Carson Hocevar, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, will make his return for his third season in the #77 Chevy. Michael McDowell will continue racing in the #71 Chevrolet, and Suarez, who replaced Justin Haley, is the new driver of the #7 team.