2023 Season in Review: Front Row Motorsports (Part 2-#38 and #36)

Driver(s): Todd Gilliland / Zane Smith 

#38 gener8tor Skills / Wellcare Ford

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Engines: Roush-Yates

2023 Season Grade: C

* results are for Front Row Motorsports starts only

2023 proved to be a chaotic, if not interesting season for Front Row’s #38 team. Through adjustments in the driver lineup and crew chief, as well as funding issues, the team still had a career season.

Originally announced to return full-time to the #38 Ford, sophomore driver Todd Gilliland had hopes of a career year. As the Cup Series approached the 2024 debut, it was announced that Gilliland would be replaced in six races by Zane Smith. The change in driver lineup was mainly due to getting Smith more track time, as well as the funding brought to the team. This left Gilliland to scramble to fill out his season, but he was able to do so with the aid of Front Row’s open #36 entry, as well as running five races with Rick Ware Racing.

Todd Gilliland: Despite the setbacks, Gilliland had a career year on the back of four top 10 finishes. Scoring three 10th place finishes, as well as an 8th on the dirt in Bristol (all in FRM’s #38 entry), Gilliland finished the season 28th in driver points with an average finish of 22nd.

• Gilliland also ran 5 races in Rick Ware Racing’s #15 and 51 entries, scoring a best finish of 23rd on the Charlotte ROVAL.

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Zane Smith: Smith, who brought funding from Ambetter Health, to the 38 team replaced Gilliland in 5 of his 7 starts in 2023. Smith somewhat struggled in his handful of starts, but did score a 10th place finish in the Coca-Cola 600. However, Smith did not finish any better than 24th in his remaining #38 starts. He would ultimately end the season departing the team for Spire Motorsports third full-time entry in 2024, and have an average finish of 26.6 over 7 starts

• Smith also ran FRM’s #36 Ford in his Daytona 500 debut, finishing 13th. He would also jump into Rick Ware Racing’s #51 Ford in Martinsville, finishing 34th.

2024 Outlook: In August, it was announced that Gilliland would be returning to the 38 team full-time in 2024. A season without interruptions in progress could be what Gilliland needs to match the performance of teammate Michael McDowell and the 34 team. While a surprise win cannot be totally written off, the team will need to run closer to the front first. Known for his superspeedway and road course prowess, these tracks are the best chances for Gilliland and crew to run up front.

2023 Results by Track

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Driver(s): Todd Gilliland / Zane Smith / Riley Herbst

#36 gener8tor Skills / Wellcare / Monster Energy Ford

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Engines: Roush-Yates

2023 Season Grade: B

For the 2023 season, Front Row Motorsports brought back the #36 Ford as an open entry for select races. Cup Series newcomer Zane Smith made his Daytona 500 debut, finishing 13th. While, for the spring in Talladega, Todd Gilliland was able to fill in his Cup schedule in, coming home with a top 10 in a last minute deal.

Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst also ran two races in FRM’s #36 Ford, bringing sponsor Monster Energy with him. Running late-season races at Daytona and Talladega, Herbst would finish 38th (due to an accident) at Talladega and 9th in Daytona.

2024 Outlook: With the loss of Zane Smith to Spire Motorsports and Chevrolet in 2024, no plans have been announced as of yet. The team could possibly return as an open entry again.

2023 Results by Track