Front Row Motorsports announced on Wednesday that they would be exercising the options for Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland for the 2024 Cup Series season. This announcement came as a bit of a surprise for two reasons. For starters, Front Row Motorsports usually wait until after the season is over to announce their driver lineup. Last season, they announced McDowell and Gilliland returning in December, which was considered early for them. An announcement from FRM in August is unheard of. However, the more surprising piece of this news is that Zane Smith is not being placed in a Cup ride next year.
Despite Front Row Motorsports having Zane Smith replace Todd Gilliland for six races in 2023, the team has decided to stick with Gilliland moving forward. Also, the rumors of McDowell potentially jumping ship can now be put to rest. With both drivers returning, Smith is now without a Cup Series ride for 2024. Most fans assumed Smith would have been one of the two FRM Cup drivers next year. Once again, FRM booted Gilliland out of his 38 car for multiple races this season so Smith could get seat experience (along with sponsorship reasons). It is odd that the team pulled that move this season but decided to hold onto the driver they actively removed from his car. Silly season is always a whirlwind.
The Face of Front Row Motorsports
Of the two drivers returning, Michael McDowell was the most expected. Since joining the team in 2018, McDowell has become the face of Front Row Motorsports. Since winning the 2021 Daytona 500, McDowell and FRM have been experiencing their best success. 2021 saw McDowell set (at the time) a career high in almost every statistical category. The team followed it up the next season by improving their performance. McDowell’s average finish improved from 20.5 to 16.7 in 2022. In one season, McDowell had as many Top-10s (12) as he did all of his previous seasons with FRM combined. Despite missing the playoffs, 2022 was clearly McDowell’s best season.
With the departure of crew chief Blake Harris, the 2023 season had regression on the horizon. While the start of the season was lackluster, McDowell and the 34 team have hit their stride during the summer. Between WWT Raceway and Pocono, McDowell racked up four Top-10s and had an average finish of 12.4. This stretch has put McDowell in the mix for pointing his way into the playoffs.
FRM threatening to point one of their drivers into the playoffs this season is a strong statement from the team. While the team still lacks the consistent speed, Michael McDowell has been the face of their steady progression. Losing him would have been a bad blow to the team. For all parties involved, this resigning made perfect sense.
Gilliland Forces Choice
Before the Daytona 500, Todd Gilliland was hit with potential career altering news. Front Row Motorsports was taking him out of his fulltime ride for Zane Smith. Prior this FRM’s Wednesday announcement, the sense was that FRM had chosen Smith over Gilliland. However, Gilliland, who scrapped together the necessary sponsorship to run the full schedule, has arguably been the best sophomore driver in the Cup Series. His performance has forced FRM to acknowledge his development and ultimately choose Gilliland over Smith.
After a rough rookie season, Todd Gilliland has progressed nicely in 2023. He has already surpassed his Top-10 total from 2022 through the first 23 races. Plus, he had dropped his average finish 2.2 spots to 21.0. Gilliland is also only four races away from surpassing his lead lap finish mark from last season. While it is not a night/day difference, it is the steady progression that any team would hope from their second year driver. Gilliland has shown flashes of matching McDowell’s speed, such as his Top-10 run that was spoiled by a yellow flag during green flag pit stops. Also, Gilliland has a better stat line despite running three races in lesser Rick Ware Racing equipment. The news that Todd Gilliland is being retained for 2024 is great for the team, driver, and NASCAR.
What About Zane Smith?
With the two Cup Series rides now filled, what happens with Zane Smith? All previous silly season reports indicated that Front Row wanted to move Smith up to the Cup Series in 2024. However, there was always going to be a roster crunch with the three drivers under contract. Smith is now the odd man out. While he is the only one of the three who has not run a full Cup Series season, it does seem his eyes are on Cup Series racing in 2024. Barring a drastic move to acquire a third charter, Front Row Motorsports will not be Smith’s home in 2024 if he is Cup Series racing.
As part of the announcement, FRM stated that Smith is “exploring opportunities in NASCAR’s other national series, including remaining at FRM in 2024”. Clearly, Smith is looking to leave the Craftsman Truck Series, where he is the reigning champion. The interesting piece of this part of the announcement is where FRM states Smith could reunite with FRM. Bob Pockrass reports that FRM could not find a way to have a third Cup Series car. If that is the case, does that imply that FRM is looking at running in the Xfinity Series next year? Maybe FRM will not be an official Xfinity Series team, but perhaps they partner with a current Xfinity team to keep Smith with them and Ford.
Exploring Smith’s Options
Under the assumption that Zane Smith is not returning to Front Row Motorsports (in any series), what other options does the young driver have for the 2024 season? As discussed by Robert Cwick, Ford has a developmental issue and losing Smith would only worsen it. Expect Ford to pull out all the stops to ensure Smith remains with the manufacturer.
Wood Brothers
Perhaps the furthest stretch among the options listed here is Wood Brothers. While Harrison Burton has not progressed in the same manner as Todd Gilliland, all reports seem to point to a reunion between Burton and Wood Brothers. However, if anything changes, this would be an open Cup Series Ford ride for Smith.
Stewart-Haas Racing
Assuming that Aric Almirola retires, the 10 car at SHR should be open for the 2024 season. Michael McDowell was considered the favorite to land that ride prior to Wednesday’s announcement. With McDowell off the market, SHR could pivot to Zane Smith. At this point, Smith might be considered the favorite for that car.
If not the 10 car, SHR could be a landing spot for a Smith Xfinity Series season. Whether he replaces Cole Custer/Riley Herbst or SHR starts a third team (likely with FRM backing), Smith could run his rookie season in the Xfinity Series in 2024 under the Ford umbrella.
Rick Ware Racing
After Justin Haley decided to jump ship to Rick Ware Racing in 2024, Zane Smith joining him there does not sound too crazy. Especially considering that RFK has an alliance with both FRM and RWR, Smith driving the second RWR car would keep him close with FRM. Brad Keselowski lamented the inability to add a third charter to RFK anytime soon, so perhaps the team’s alliance with RWR is their version of expansion. Think of it as RFK’s version of 23XI Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. If RWR has Smith and Haley running for them in 2024, Rick Ware Racing become RFK’s developmental program.
Returning to Chevy
Zane Smith defected from Chevy to join Ford and FRM back in 2022. The relationship immediately paid off as the tandem won the Craftsman Truck Series championship. If Smith is not enthralled by the Ford offerings, he could return to the Chevy camp. There are options available to Smith in both the Xfinity and Cup Series with Chevy.
If Smith is determined to run in the Cup Series next year, Kaulig Racing has at least one car available. Smith could replace Justin Haley in the 31 car. Kaulig might have two seats available if AJ Allmendinger steps away from Cup Series action. If that is the case, it is highly plausible Kaulig would go after Smith intently.
Meanwhile, if Smith is open to running in the Xfinity Series, JR Motorsports also has at least one car available. Josh Berry is leaving for SHR and Smith could run in the 8 next year. Smith brings funding, which is the main obstacle from Jeffery Earnhardt taking that ride. Also, the 9 car seems likely to come available with how poorly Brandon Jones has been running. Smith’s availability might be more lucrative currently than a Noah Gragson reunion, as it seems his time with Legacy Motor Club is ending soon.
