Silly season taking shape for 2022
Todd Gilliland is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut with a full-time effort in 2022. The driver will pilot a car out of the Front Row Motorsports stable. He’ll run with teammate Michael McDowell.
Hear from the drivers below.
Front Row Motorsports released their full 2022 driver lineup on Tuesday. The team also welcomes Zane Smith who will pilot their NASCAR Truck Series machine.
Todd Gilliland
21-year-old Todd Gilliland will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut, full-time. Last year, he drove for Front Row Motorsports via their truck series effort.
“I feel like I’ve found a home at FRM,” said Gilliland. “I’ve been around the team when I was growing up and watching my dad race. I joined the truck team here and it has been a good place for my career. I can’t wait to step up into the NASCAR Cup Series. I know the challenges ahead, but I’m planning to be here and help grow with this team for a long time.”
Seth Barbour will serve as the crew chief for the team
“Todd has been a part of the FRM family before he even started his own racing career,” added owner, Bob Jenkins. “We know that Todd is committed to helping our No. 38 program. He helped us launch our truck program into a winning team and that’s our goal for him and the 38 Cup team.”
Gilliland hasn’t run a NASCAR Cup Series event. However, he has 2 NASCAR Truck Series wins in 93 starts.
Michael McDowell
36-year-old, Michael McDowell will pilot the No. 34 in the NASCAR Cup Series. It’s his fifth year with the team.
“It was a storybook season for Michael, Drew and the 34 team,” Jenkins added. “They helped elevate us to the next level and now we need to sustain and take the next step. The new car gives us a wonderful opportunity to do that.”
Drew Blickensderfer will serve as the crew chief for the McDowell.
“I’m really looking forward to 2022 and the fresh start it brings across the sport,” said McDowell. “It’s an exciting time for the NASCAR Cup Series and for us at FRM. We have proven that we can win and now we want to find that consistency throughout the season to be even better.”
Zane Smith
22-year-old, Zane Smith has finished 2nd in the NASCAR Truck Series for the past two seasons. For 2022, he makes the move from GMS Racing to Front Row Motorsports.
“I’ve been watching Zane the past few seasons,” said Jenkins. “He’s a young driver who is a proven winner and he shows a lot of promise. We want to get him that championship in 2022, but also, we want to have Zane with us for a long time. We see a bright future for him.”
Chris Lawson will serve as the crew chief for Smith.
“I competed against Front Row for wins this past season and I know how competitive the team is,” said Smith, the 2021 Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Camping World Series. “Bob Jenkins has given me a wonderful opportunity to race for the truck series championship again. More importantly, there is an opportunity to grow with them in the future.”
Links
Todd Gilliland | Michael McDowell | Zane Smith | Front Row Motorsports | NASCAR
