Thursday, November 21, 2024
HomeCup Series2023 Season in Review: Front Row Motorsports (Part 2-#38 and #36)

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

Driver(s): Todd Gilliland / Zane Smith 

#38 gener8tor Skills / Wellcare Ford

(courtesy of NASCAR.com)

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Engines: Roush-Yates

2023 Season Grade: C

Driver Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Rank  
Todd Gilliland (#38/36) 30 of 36* 0 0 4 28
Zane Smith (#36/38) 7 of 8* 0 0 1 N/A
Riley Herbst (#36) 2* 0 0 1 N/A

* 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

RACE TRACK DRIVER ST FIN LAPS STATUS
1 Daytona Todd Gilliland 14 27 208/212 Accident
2 Fontana Todd Gilliland 25 17 200/200 Running
3 Las Vegas Todd Gilliland 28 31 268/271 Running
4 Phoenix Zane Smith 34 31 315/317 Running
5 Atlanta Todd Gilliland 23 15 260/260 Running
6 COTA Todd Gilliland 36 10 75/75 Running
7 Richmond Todd Gilliland 13 15 400/400 Running
8 Bristol (Dirt) Todd Gilliland 15 8 250/250 Running
9 Martinsville Todd Gilliland 13 25 399/400 Running
10 Talladega Zane Smith 35 37 141/196 Accident
11 Dover Todd Gilliland 35 25 396/400 Running
12 Kansas Todd Gilliland 32 24 266/267 Running
13 Darlington Todd Gilliland 24 11 295/295 Running
14 Charlotte Zane Smith 29 10 400/400 Running
15 Gateway Todd Gilliland 28 15 243/243 Running
16 Sonoma Zane Smith 30 34 109/110 Running
17 Nashville Todd Gilliland 27 35 296/300 Running
18 Chicago Todd Gilliland 25 19 78/78 Running
19 Atlanta Todd Gilliland 9 16 185/185 Running
20 Loudon Todd Gilliland 23 21 301/301 Running
21 Pocono Todd Gilliland 36 15 160/160 Running
22 Richmond Todd Gilliland 16 25 399/400 Running
23 Michigan Todd Gilliland 32 29 197/200 Running
24 Indianapolis G.P. Todd Gilliland 23 37 80/82 Running
25 Watkins Glen Todd Gilliland 25 11 90/90 Running
26 Daytona Todd Gilliland 35 32 131/163 Overheating
27 Darlington Todd Gilliland 30 26 366/367 Running
28 Kansas Todd Gilliland 32 25 267/268 Running
29 Bristol Todd Gilliland 30 16 499/500 Running
30 Texas Zane Smith 33 24 267/267 Running
31 Talladega Todd Gilliland 17 12 188/188 Running
32 Charlotte (Road) Zane Smith 34 30 109/109 Running
33 Las Vegas Todd Gilliland 29 27 266/267 Running
34 Homestead Todd Gilliland 32 25 266/267 Running
35 Martinsville Todd Gilliland 17 10 500/500 Running
36 Phoenix Todd Gilliland 14 30 309/312 Running

 

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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

(Smith-Courtesy of Jayski & Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
(Gilliland-Courtesy of Jayski & Front Row Motorsports)

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.

(Herbst-Courtesy of Jayski & Sean Gardner / Getty Images)

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

RACE TRACK DRIVER ST FIN LAPS STATUS
1 Daytona Zane Smith 17 13 212/212 Running
10 Talladega Todd Gilliland 28 10 196/196 Running
26 Daytona Riley Herbst 6 38 94/163 Accident
31 Talladega Riley Herbst 6 9 188/188 Running
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