DePaul partners with Spire Motorsports ahead of NASCAR Chicago Street Race
DePaul University has partnered with Spire Motorsports for the weekend's events as the main sponsor of the No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1. DePaul's colors will be on the car, driver and pit-crew gear and pit-stop signage, and fans can buy Blue Demons-themed gear before the race.
Piloting the DePaul Chevy will be Michael McDowell, who joined Spire this season. The Glendale, Ariz., native is a 17-year veteran with 518 starts. That includes a victory in the 2021 Daytona 500, three top-five finishes at Talladega and starts in all three of NASCAR's national series (Cup, Xfinity and Truck).
'It's always exciting when you can bring somebody into the sport that you know hasn't been there (before) and bring a new design and a fresh look,' McDowell said. 'You're going to have some fans and you're going to have some support immediately. It's been a great response.
'I've had a lot of people in particular comment about the paint scheme, how well it looks, and (they're) excited to see it on track. The paint scheme turned out nice; the colors look great.'
DePaul's NASCAR partnership is a way to promote the school beyond Chicago.
'Partnering with Spire Motorsports for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race allows us to spotlight DePaul on a national stage while embracing a global event in our own backyard,' athletic director DeWayne Peevy said in a press release. 'This collaboration will extend into our classrooms this fall, offering our students a hands-on look at the business and science behind professional racing. It's the perfect example of how we're using sports to elevate our visibility and create real-world learning experiences for our students.'
DePaul's School of Hospitality and Sports Business introduced a NASCAR-related course this summer, titled HSB 198: A NASCAR Experience. Students created and implemented designs for the college tailgate that will be at Turn 7 of the street race. McDowell will make virtual appearances in classes in the coming weeks.
Along with an offered NASCAR internship program, DePaul students can get tickets at 20% off for the street race.
'One thing that I've learned over the last few weeks is that DePaul is a household brand that people know, especially in (Chicago) and in the country,' McDowell said. 'It's cool to have their athletic fan base join ours.'
The best-case scenario for the partnership is the Demonmobile — name is still in the workshop — taking the checkered flag. McDowell called road courses a 'strong suit' and his 2023 win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course is proof. He led the race for 54 laps and narrowly beat Chase Elliott for his second Cup Series victory.
'We know that's an opportunity for us to win and to run up front,' McDowell said. 'The excitement is there for sure, and you feel the pressure of trying to get yourself locked into the playoffs and trying to get a win. Chicago is an opportunity for us to do that.'
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