NASCAR driver announcement left one car with no number for 2025

As a hardcore NASCAR fan with over two decades of racing passion under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement as I witness Zane Smith’s return to Front Row Motorsports for the upcoming 2025 season. Having watched his meteoric rise through the Truck Series ranks, culminating in his well-deserved championship victory with the team in 2022, it was a bitter pill to swallow when he moved on to Spire Motorsports for the 2024 Cup Series campaign. But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining, and that silver lining came in the form of Michael McDowell’s departure from Front Row Motorsports after seven seasons, opening up the coveted No. 71 Chevrolet seat for Smith to slide right back into.

It was a rollercoaster ride watching Smith adjust to the Cup Series in 2024, but he showed flashes of brilliance that made me believe he could compete at the highest level. The announcement of his return to Front Row Motorsports feels like a homecoming, and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes with the team in 2025.

Now, let’s not forget about Todd Gilliland, who has been a stalwart for Front Row Motorsports since joining them in the Cup Series in 2022. His move from the No. 38 Ford to the No. 34 Ford as the team’s de facto “lead car” for the 2025 season is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and I have no doubt he will continue to impress with his driving skills.

The only thing that leaves me scratching my head is Front Row Motorsports’ decision to go with the No. 4 for Noah Gragson instead of the more logical choice of the No. 36 or 34 for their third car number. I guess we’ll have to wait and see how that pans out, but I’m confident in both drivers and the team as a whole.

Finally, let me leave you with a little joke: Why did the NASCAR driver bring a calculator to the racetrack? Because he wanted to calculate his odds of winning! 😉

Front Row Motorsports officially revealed that they’ve signed Zane Smith to compete with their NASCAR Cup Series team starting from the 2025 season.

Originally from Huntington Beach, California at age 25, this individual clinched the Truck Series title in 2022 with their team. However, following the conclusion of the 2023 season, they decided to part ways and signed up with Spire Motorsports for the 2024 Cup Series instead.

Towards the start of the 2024 racing season, it was announced that Michael McDowell, winner of the 2021 Daytona 500, would be departing Front Row Motorsports following seven seasons. He will take over Smith’s position as driver for the No. 71 Chevrolet at Spire Motorsports. This leaves Smith searching for a new team after only one year in the Cup series with his current team.

As a dedicated fan, I’m excited to share that starting from the 2025 season, I, Todd Gilliland, will be driving the flagship No. 34 Ford with Front Row Motorsports. Since joining them in the Cup Series back in 2022, I’ve been behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford. However, with McDowell’s departure, this prestigious role as the team’s de facto “lead car” driver has been handed to me, and I can hardly wait to get on the track!

Front Row Motorsports still needed third car number

When the team disclosed that Noah Gragson, formerly of Stewart-Haas Racing, would be part of their squad for the 2025 season, they didn’t specify a car number for him yet, but they did reveal one for Smith.

In 2025, it’s expected that Smith will be behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford. Given his past association with this number while racing with the team in the Truck Series during both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, this isn’t exactly a shocking revelation.

It was announced soon after that Gragson’s race car number will be No. 4 in 2025, as confirmed by his team. Previously, this number had been used by Stewart-Haas Racing, but Gragson drove the No. 10 while at that team. However, the No. 10 is now in Kaulig Racing’s hands for 2025, with Ty Dillon set to drive the renumbered No. 31-turned-No. 10 Chevrolet.

Initially, it was believed that Gragson would race with the No. 36, as this number has been the preferred choice for the team when adding a third car for specific events over the past few seasons. However, an unexpected decision was made to choose the No. 4 instead.

It’s noteworthy that Front Row Motorsports has grown its Truck Series team from one truck to two for the 2025 season. Lane Riggs will stay in the No. 38 Ford, while the number assigned to Chandler Smith’s entry is still undecided. The No. 36 or No. 34 could be suitable options for Smith’s ride, and the No. 4 has been allocated for Hettinger Racing on a partial basis.

The Daytona International Speedway is all set to kick off the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, February 16, with the 67th edition of the Daytona 500. Fox will start broadcasting live from 2:30 p.m. ET onwards.

2025-01-04 15:02

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