FRM
BaseMooresville, North Carolina
OwnerBob Jenkins
ManufacturerFord
SeriesNASCAR Cup Series
Cars#4, #34, #38
Founded2004

2026 Season Stats

0
Wins
Noah Gragson
Points Leader
3
Cars

2026 Drivers

  • #4 Noah Gragson - An aggressive and talented driver who moved from the Xfinity Series to Cup. Gragson brings energy and speed to the No. 4 Ford.
  • #34 Todd Gilliland - A second-generation driver whose father David Gilliland also raced in Cup. Todd has steadily improved and is a dependable performer for the team.
  • #38 Zane Smith - A two-time Truck Series champion who brings proven winning ability to the Cup Series. Smith's transition to Cup represents the next step in a promising career.

Team History

Front Row Motorsports was founded by Bob Jenkins in 2004 and has grown from a shoestring-budget operation into a competitive three-car Cup Series team. Jenkins, a successful businessman from Virginia, entered NASCAR with modest expectations but a long-term vision. The team spent its early years running part-time schedules with limited funding, often relying on start-and-park strategies to keep the doors open while building toward full-time competitiveness.

The team's perseverance paid off with one of the most unlikely victories in NASCAR history when David Ragan won the rain-shortened Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway in 2013 for FRM. It was a validation moment for an organization that had been dismissed as a backmarker. Chris Buescher added another surprise victory at Pocono in 2016 during a rain-affected race, and Michael McDowell - who spent several years with FRM - developed into a competitive driver during his time with the team.

Front Row's alignment with Ford and its technical alliance with Team Penske and RFK Racing have been instrumental in the team's development. Access to Ford engines and engineering data has allowed FRM to punch above its weight, particularly on superspeedways where aerodynamic parity can level the playing field. The team has been one of the most vocal advocates for competitive balance in NASCAR, and its involvement in the charter system lawsuit alongside 23XI Racing highlighted the financial challenges faced by mid-tier teams.

The expansion to three full-time cars represents FRM's most ambitious chapter yet. With Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, and Zane Smith, the team has assembled a young and hungry driver lineup that could surprise on any given weekend. Jenkins' patience and strategic growth have turned Front Row from an afterthought into a legitimate contender for race wins, proving that sustained commitment and smart partnerships can overcome budget limitations in modern NASCAR.

Cup Championships

Front Row Motorsports has not yet won a Cup Series championship.

Interesting Facts

  • FRM was part of a landmark antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR alongside 23XI Racing, challenging the sport's charter system and revenue distribution practices.
  • Bob Jenkins made his fortune in real estate and convenience stores before entering NASCAR team ownership.
  • Zane Smith is a two-time Truck Series champion, bringing proven championship-winning experience to the team.
  • David Ragan's 2013 Talladega win for FRM was one of the biggest upsets in superspeedway history.
  • The team's technical alliance with Team Penske gives it access to Ford's best resources and engineering data.

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