Michael McDowell is an American race driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series using Phil Parsons Racing's No. 98 Ford Fusion. He also part-time driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series using  SR² Motorsports' No. 27 Toyota Camry.

Michael Christopher McDowell was born in Glendale, Arizona on  December 21, 1984. He is married to his wife Jami, with whom he has two children named Emma and Trace. McDowell started racing at age three using BMX bicycles.

In 2003, he was named as the Star Mazda Championship Rookie of the Year. A year later, he won the Star Mazda Championship Championship. In 2007, he was won the ARCA Re/MAX Series Rookie of the Year award.

Over his six-year career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, McDowell has competed in a total of 140 races, and 144 races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Though he debuted in NASCAR with the Camping World Truck Series, McDowell has only competed in two races in that competition.