Michael McDowell interested fans around the community after he revealed an unconventional way he and his wife are raising their children. He revealed that all five of their children are homeschooled.

The No. 71 Chevy driver for Spire Motorsports said that he believed in the superiority of traditional learning methods over more modern ones.

Speaking about this arrangement back at home, McDowell joked about his limited role. “So the kids are homeschooled, and so my wife is absolutely like the teacher, and I'm the principal. So I only have to go in and regulate. That's it. I don't do a whole lot of teaching, just regulating,” he said.

Then, McDowell went on to add how homeschooling works today and the challenges that come with it.

“Now there's so many homeschool curriculums out there, and so that's probably the hardest thing. You want to pick the right curriculum. You want to pick the right stuff. So you learn as you go,” he said.

The winner of the 2021 Daytona 500 then narrowed down on the difference homeschooling back then vs today in the digital age. He also stated the reason why the traditional learning approach for his children worked.

“We're kind of old school. We still get books because we don't want them on devices all day long,” he explained. When the host mentioned that a lot of schools are taking away gadgets and devices and going back to books, McDowell added,

“They're realizing the kids are not smarter."

McDowell stands out among many as a driver who greatly values upbringing and family. In fact, homeschooling isn't even the best example of it. Let us take a look at what is.

How adoption became one of Michael McDowell’s most defining life decisions

Long before even the conversations about homeschooling took place, Michael McDowell and his wife Jami went through a six-year adoption journey that changed their lives. The couple had always wanted to adopt, but the entire process took six years before they could welcome Lucas to their family from China in 2016.

Lucas, born with a physical condition that was later corrected, found a loving home in a family that already had three children. Jami, in fact, went to China to bring him home.

The family has repeatedly revealed that it was their religious faith that inspired the adoption, showcasing that even beyond NASCAR, McDowell and his family's values, faith, and beliefs will always remain superior to any other aspect of life.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason