Although Front Row Motorsports is shrinking their NASCAR Cup Series operation to two cars for the 2020 season, they announced an interesting addition to their organization on Monday.
The race team will start fielding a No. 38 Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Series in 2020 and Todd Gilliland will be the driver for the season.
“I’m really looking forward to racing an F-150 in the Truck Series this year with Front Row Motorsports as part of the Ford family,” said Gilliland. “I’ve been around Bob Jenkins and the whole Front Row crew for a long time growing up with my dad racing for them. The talent that they’ve brought in for my program is really exciting. I know or have worked with almost every person that’s on my team this year at some point in my career. That helps tremendously in building relationships and trust with each other.”
The team will have a technical alliance with Gilliland’s father’s team DGR Crosley.
Gilliland’s father, David Gilliland, raced for Front Row Motorsports during his NASCAR Cup Series career and he utilized the No. 38 for the majority of his career. Gilliland’s grandfather, Butch Gilliland, also used the number in his career.
“Car numbers are important to a driver because they are essentially your identity when you’re on track. It’s cool to think about a Gilliland being back in the No. 38, and I’m really proud to be able to drive the same number that my dad and grandpa did.”
Todd Gilliland was a rising star in the sport, as he won 22 races in the K&N East, West and ARCA Menards Series between 2015 and 2019. However, Gilliland had a rough start to his Truck Series career.
However, Gilliland finally broke through for his first-career win in the Truck Series at Martinsville in the fall.
FRM’s team owner Bob Jenkins is excited for this new chapter.
“We’re all very excited for this expansion,” said Jenkins. “I’ve watched Todd grow up in this sport and have seen the talent he brings firsthand. Not only does he come from a racing family, but he’s got the natural ability of a winning driver. I’m confident that having him drive in our debut season will be a great success.”
A team press release confirmed that Gilliland’s crew chief for 2020 will be Jon Leonard and that Coleman Pressley will serve as Gilliland’s spotter.
Gilliland also appeared on video via Twitter to talk about the move to FRM:
This is going to be fun! Can’t wait for this season with @Team_FRM @FordPerformance we’ve got a great team together. Daytona here we come! pic.twitter.com/w7nkL9Rlrj
— Todd Gilliland (@ToddGilliland_) January 13, 2020
2 Responses
Any pics of the truck yet?
Not just yet