For the second straight season, Front Row Motorsports is prepared to bring a third entry to the Daytona 500, announcing on Tuesday that Kaz Grala will pilot the No. 36 Ford Mustang in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway.
Grala, who recently announced a 25-race slate in the NASCAR Cup Series for Rick Ware Racing, will have financial backing from Carl Ruedebusch and Ruedebusch Development and Construction, a long-time partner of the Boston, Massachusetts-native.
“I have to thank Bob (Jenkins) and Carl (Ruedebusch) for this opportunity to return to the Daytona 500,” said Grala. “Qualifying is so unique for the 500 and it is the toughest challenge, mentally, on a driver and team as you prepare a car, qualify, and then race the 150. But I know the car we have will be fast, the Ford engine from Roush Yates Engines will be the best out there, and I am ready. I feel this is one of my best chances at the Daytona 500 with everyone involved.”
Last season, Front Row Motorsports brought its third entry to the racetrack for a total of four events, all superspeedways, which resulted in three top-15 results, from Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith and Riley Herbst.
The organization has found success with its third entry in the season-opening event before, with David Ragan finishing fourth place in the Front Row Motorsports-prepared Ford Mustang in 2021. Zane Smith piloted the No. 36 in the race’s last iteration, finishing 13th.
With the No. 36 Ford Mustang set to enter the season-opener, the field has officially grown to 41 entries, meaning that if the 25-year-old driver wants to take part in “The Great American Race”, he’ll have to qualify either on time or via his duel race.
