Michael McDowell recently mourned the loss of Front Row Motorsports' performance director, and best friend, Johnny Roten.. He found comfort in the fact that his friend's longstanding suffering has ended. The veteran driver called Roten a 'great man' who was an integral part of FRM.He shared an image of the two on his X and wrote:"Today my best friend went to be with the Lord. No more pain, no more suffering, no more treatments. It is a great reminder that this Earth is not our home. Faith, Family and Friends will last for eternity."The caption featured in the image read:"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a brother who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24."Michael McDowell has been a part of NASCAR since 2007. Beginning with the Truck Series, the 40-year-old later transitioned to the Cup Series and drove uncompetitive cars for many years until he found his place in FRM.The veteran driver grabbed his maiden win in the 2021 Daytona 500, making him the second driver with most starts before a win. He hasn't reached victory lane since then. The 2025 season saw him finishing 22nd in the standings, logging three top-5s and two poles.Michael McDowell delves into his retirement plansDuring the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway, Michael McDowell spoke to the press and addressed his retirement plans. The No.41 Chevy driver shared that he doesn't see himself retiring in the 'near future.'“Well, do I see that in the future. Not in the near future. For me, I have been doing this a long time, but for those who have followed the sport, they know my first 10 years were a struggle where I was not in a competitive environment or enjoying myself. I was just trying to stay in the sport and stay in a seat long enough to get to where I am now,” he said. Michael McDowell's first year with Spire Motorsports was a largely middling affair. His best result came from a fifth-place result at the Charlotte Roval. He has begun on the front row thrice, but couldn't finish among the top-10 in any of those races.He has led 97 laps in total and records an average finish of 18. His teammate, Carson Hocevar, ranks one spot below him. He has led more laps than McDowell, but has eight DNFs to his name.However, Hocevar has finished runner-up twice in his sophomore year with the team. Moreover, the 22-year-old won the All-Star Open race and finished 11th in the main event.