Race [4] that Peanut Patch is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2013:
Darlington - 5/11
Bristol - 8/24
Atlanta - 9/1
Charlotte - 10/12

Race [1] that Detail Doctor is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2013:
Daytona - 2/24

Race [1] that Dockside Logistics is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2013:
Bristol - 3/17

Race [1] that Love's Travel Stops is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2013:
Texas - 4/13

Race [1] that CSX Transportation is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2013:
Richmond - 4/27
Charlotte - 5/18, All-Star race

Race [1] that Farm Rich is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2013:
Talladega - 5/1

Contract Status: Driver: 2013 Primary Sponsors: ?

Wild Win Makes Ragan an All-Star with CSX: David Ragan will line up for a shot at winning $1 million Saturday night in NASCAR's Sprint All-Star Race, and he's bringing partner CSX with him. The transportation company returns to the #34 Ford for its second primary sponsorship in one of the biggest showcases of the Sprint Cup Series season. Ragan earned his spot in the All-Star starting line-up with his dramatic win at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5  the first victory in Front Row Motorsports history. The All-Star race will feature all of the race winners from 2012 and 2013 to date. Saturday night's non-points event will be the second time this season that CSX will use the entire Front Row Motorsports #34 Ford to promote safety around railroad tracks and crossings. The car will feature a special "Play it Safe" paint scheme, including a bumper sticker on the back that says "I brake for trains," the "Play it Safe" logo and a hood that says "Beats Goliath, Brakes for trains," as a nod to Ragan's status as the last driver to qualify for the prestigious All-Star Race. The All-Star start will be Ragan's third appearance in the annual event, but the first earned with a Front Row win.
"We're very proud of David and his amazing victory at Talladega, and wanted to use the opportunity to further show our support of this great team and bring attention to a very important message that can save lives," said Terry Ludban, CSX Director-Community Affairs and Safety. "Motorists should look both ways at crossings, and always expect a train, and pedestrians should stay well clear of railroad tracks."
Comments from CSX team driver David Ragan heading to the All-Star race: "We're thrilled that CSX is back on our No. 34 Ford for this event. We had a great week with them a couple weeks ago, going to visit the trainyard and CSX employees in Jacksonville and then promoting the 'Play It Safe' message throughout the race weekend in Richmond. After we won at Talladega and earned our spot in the All-Star race, they called and said they wanted to be a part of it. So we couldn't be happier that they're going racing with us again. There will be a lot of eyes watching Saturday night's race and it's a great way for CSX to get out their message of playing it safe around railroad tracks. It's huge to be in the Sprint All-Star Race, and it especially means a lot to a team like Front Row Motorsports. It's NASCAR's showcase of the best teams in the sport, and to be included in that is a big deal. Bob Jenkins has been building this team over the last several years and making it better and more competitive every year. Qualifying for the All-Star Race as a result of a Front Row win just shows that he's doing things right and all the hard work is paying off. You don't realize how important the actual All-Star Race is until you're in it. I didn't make the All-Star Race until my third or fourth year in the Sprint Cup Series, and then I realized what a big deal it was to be in that line-up. Even before the green flag waves, you're proud just to be on the starting grid, representing your team and getting a shot at racing for a million dollars. "The All-Star Race is something we really look forward to. It's a little less of a pressure-packed weekend because you don't have points on the line and it's a little shorter race. You get to sleep in your own bed for a few nights. So, the All-Star event for the Sprint Cup Series is probably one of the best all-star formats in all the major-league sports. Charlotte Motor Speedway was one of the early tests that we had with this Generation-6 car back in December. It's something that we'll definitely learn from during our first weekend there coming up and we'll see how things changed. Really, December seems like an eternity ago with these Gen-6 cars. So we'll definitely learn a lot that will help us for the 600-mile race the following week."(Front Row Motorsports), see images of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(5-15-2013)

Peanut Patch returns to the #34 at Darlington: Peanut Patch is sponsoring Sprint Cup Series Driver David Ragan, fresh off his win at Talladega Superspeedway, in the Bojangles' Southern 500 on Saturday at Darlington Raceway. This will be the second consecutive year the boiled peanuts brand is backing Ragan in the Southern 500. He will drive the #34 "Peanut Patch" car, a Ford Fusion."We made our debut last year at the Darlington Raceway with David Ragan, and he was an ideal fit because of his Southern roots, exuberance and strong connection to NASCAR and its fans," Woody Swink, regional director of sales and an owner of McCall Farms said. "Therefore, it was just a matter of plain common sense to reconnect with David Ragan, an impressive talent who is respected and recognized as a formidable competitor among car racing enthusiasts."(Front Row Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(5-8-2013)

Keselowski apologizes to Regan for post race allegation: Reigning Sprint Cup champion #2-Brad Keselowski apologized publicly Tuesday for his Twitter rant following David Ragan's victory at Talladega Superspeedway. Keselowski accused Ragan on Twitter of getting an unfair advantage by switching to an outside lane before the green-white-checkered restart in Sunday's race. He tweeted it was "blatantly wrong" and that he was "mad as hell about the finish." As Keselowski later discovered, Ragan was told by NASCAR to switch lanes prior to the restart after the governing body realized there was a mistake in the order. NASCAR also radioed the switch to Keselowski and his spotter, but neither heard it and both were unaware the change was being made until about a half-lap before the restart. After the race, Keselowski responded with a series of tweets that included: "I'm happy as hell a small team won. Doesn't change the fact that the restart was blatantly wrong. mad as hell about that finish. We were suppose to line up 10th when the 34 switched lanes entering 3 before green. That lane won. BS." But Keselowski changed his tone Tuesday in a written apology posted on his website. "I finally had a chance to digest what happened at the end of the Cup race at Talladega on Sunday," Keselowski said in the apology. "I owe David Ragan and his fans an apology. I placed blame on David Ragan for the restart lineup confusion when it wasn't his fault. Keselowski emphasized that he did not mean to "detract" from Ragan's victory and attempted to explain his confusion regarding the restart. "With the multicar wreck, the rain and the impending darkness, it is easy to see how NASCAR could have made that mistake. It was a confusing time for all of us. I want to send a sincere congratulation out to David Ragan and everyone at Front Row Motorsports. It was a very cool win for our sport."(ESPN)(5-8-2013)

Front Row Motorsports Earns First Win in 1-2 Ragan-Gilliland Finish: Front Row Motorsports earned its first NASCAR victory Sunday night at Talladega Superspeedway when #38-David Gilliland pushed teammate #34-David Ragan to the checkers in a dramatic last-lap surge to cap off a wild and rain-interrupted race. Ragan earned Bob Jenkins' young team its first Sprint Cup Series win and Gilliland finished second for the best  and most dramatic  finish in team history. The ending came in the form of a green-white-checkered finish, in which Ragan and Gilliland restarted in 10th and 11th respectively. In two laps, the pair freight-trained through the traffic in their Roush Yates-powered Ford Fusions to emerge at the front of the pack  seemingly out of nowhere and to the surprise and delight of the rain-soaked crowd.
The win is the second Sprint Cup victory for Ragan, and the runner-up finish ties Gilliland's best career result. The milestone event put partners Farm Rich (#34) and Love's Travel Stops (#38) in the spotlight in their first season working with Front Row Motorsports.
"This is a true David vs. Goliath moment here," Ragan said. "This is special to get Front Row Motorsports their first win. It feels like I've never been in Victory Lane before, I'm so excited. We're a small team. We build our own chassis, our own bodies, and it's such a special moment for our team and all of our partners. This is big." For Jenkins, whose passion for racing led him to purchase a small NASCAR team in 2004, the Victory Lane champagne was long, and patiently, awaited.
"I've got guys at the shop that have the heart to win races," Jenkins said. "We just haven't always had the resources. So the challenge for me is, as we build cars, to make them better every week and to put ourselves in a position to win a race and that's really what happened (Sunday). It's just so satisfying to see that over the last nine years, we've gotten a little bit better every single year, and I felt the progress and I knew it was just a matter of time before we'd win one of these things."
"My crew chief, Frank Kerr, said, 'You've got to have the restart of your life,' and we had a good one," remarked Gilliland. "It's a huge day obviously for any team to get first and second, but for Front Row Motorsports and our little team, and what we do it with, we're really proud of that." Gilliland owned the team's previous best finish, a third-place showing in the 2011 Daytona 500. #35-Josh Wise earned a commendable finish Sunday in his first full Sprint Cup race at Talladega, bringing home a top-20 finish after crossing the line 19th.(Front Row Motorsports)(5-6-2013)

Ragan wins at Talladega: #34-David Ragan won the Aaron's 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 1st win of 2013 and 2nd career win. On the green-white-checkered finish that was caused by a 2nd 'big one', #20-Kenseth led on the restart, #99-Edwards took the lead on the white flag lap and #34-Ragan and teammate pushed thru and Ragan took the lead and won the race. The race was rained delayed for a few hours on lap 125 with #99-Edwards leading but NASCAR got the track dried and was able to finish the race.
#38-Gilliland finished 2nd followed by #99-Edwards, #55-Waltrip (in his 2nd race of the year), #48-Johnson, #51-Smith, #20-Kenseth (led the most laps at 142), #56-Truex Jr., #95-Speed and #43-Almirola.
#21-Bayne brought out the first caution on lap 22 when the engine let go. During that caution, #11-Hamlin pitted and the team made the driver change, putting Vickers in the car for the injured Denny Hamlin. Vickers finished 34th after being involved in the lap 42 crash, with 10 points going to Hamlin, as the driver who starts the race, gets the points.
There was 'a big one', a wreck that involved 14 cars on lap 42 when #18-Busch got into the right rear of the #5-Kahne car, sending the #5 into the wall, the #5 came down and collected the #18, involving #1-McMurray, #9-Ambrose, #11-Vickers, #13-Mears, #14-Stewart, #16-Biffle, #24-Gordon, #29-Harvick, #30-Stremme, #31-Burton, #78-Busch and #83-Reutimann.
The red flag came out on lap 125 when the rains came. The track was close to dry when a storm with hail and wind came. The track was dried a 2nd time and restarted the race around 7:00pm/et.
There was a 2nd 'big one' on lap 182 when #17-Stenhouse Jr. tried to squeeze by #36-Yeley on the outside, clipping the #36 which got sideways and slid into the pack. #78-Busch flipped over and landed on the top of the #39-Newman car and slid off. Other cars collected included #1-McMurray, #30-Stremme, #32-Labonte, #47-Labonte and #10-Patrick.
After the 2nd 'big one', NASCAR only allowed one green-white-checkered attempt due to impending darkness.
There were 30 lead changes among 17 drivers and 5 cautions for 31 yellow flag laps and a lengthy red flag for rain.
The average speed was 148.729mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Talladega Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Talladega Penalty Report (pdf)
And see the Official Talladega Race and Points Report.

Farm Rich to sponsor #34 team: Georgia-based Farm Rich is teaming up with Unadilla, Ga., native #34-David Ragan for this weekend's high-speed action at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway - a track where he has a history of finishing up front. The Aaron's 499 race weekend will be the first time Farm Rich has partnered with a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. Farm Rich makes wholesome, great-tasting frozen snack and appetizer products such as Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks, Meatballs and Jalapeńo Peppers. They are sold at grocery and club stores nationwide. "Farm Rich is really happy to be involved with David Ragan, the #34 team and Front Row Motorsports," said Shannon Gilreath, Senior Brand Manager for Farm Rich. "Farm Rich fans love NASCAR, so this is a great way to put two of their favorite things together. It's going to be a great race and we think fans will be excited to see Farm Rich on the #34 car."(FRM)(5-3-2013)

Ragan's team still searching for sponsors: From an interview with Frontstretch.com:
#34-David Ragan: "We've got a couple of sponsors for the season. We've got a lot of races sold, but we have a lot of races unsold. CSX Railroad, one of our primary sponsors throughout the year and associate all year long, Peanut Patch Peanuts, obviously Taco Bell and Long John Silver's, but our owner, Bob Jenkins, he really puts a lot of extra personal money into our team to try and keep it going forward and growing. Certainly without his subsidy, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. We do have a lot of good partners, but we need a couple more to fill up the whole season."(Frontstretch)(4-25-2013)

Ragan to drive a train; have special scheme at RIR: David Ragan will take a break from the #34 Ford to get behind the controls of one of the most advanced CSX locomotives at 3 pm on Tuesday, April 23, at the Moncrief Rail Yard (Jacksonville, FL). There he will learn more about train operations and to promote the "Play it Safe" campaign, which encourages safety among pedestrians and motorists around railroad tracks. In other events during the day, Ragan will put the CSX primary race car, which is painted with the "Play It Safe" scheme, on display at 11:30am at CSX Headquarters at 500 Water Street. From 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, he will sign autographs for CSX employees. On April 26, fans attending the Richmond International Speedway Race Weekend will get the opportunity to sign a pledge to exercise caution around railroad tracks on the actual hood of the CSX "Play It Safe" #34 Ford, which will race in the April 27 Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond, VA.
"We plan to give David a tour of one of our latest locomotives and show him how it operates. The tour will include the perspective from the engineer's seat, and a briefing on how CSX - the largest railroad in the East - delivers freight safely and reliably," says Gary Sease, Corporate Communications Director. Ragan, who is also a spokesman about the dangers of distracted driving, welcomed the opportunity to be part of another safety message. "It can take the average freight train traveling at 55 mph up to a mile to stop," Ragan said. "To put the problem in perspective, every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train."
"We're proud to partner with the team that has been most associated with driver safety," says Sease. "David is a great spokesperson, and we hope his passion for this issue will translate into increased awareness about safety." As the primary sponsor for the Richmond race, CSX will use the entire car to promote safety. In addition to the hood of signed safety pledges, the #34 Ford will feature the "I brake for trains" bumper sticker, both quarter panels and the hood will display the "Play It Safe" campaign tagline and other messages. Ragan is utilizing social media and encourages his fans to help promote the message with the #PlayItSafe hashtag as it will be seen on his car. In addition to NASCAR, the "Play It Safe" campaign targets college students on campuses intersected by railroad tracks and includes billboards placed strategically near rail crossings, online advertising, social media and other communications that urge caution.(Front Row Motorsports), see a bunch of images of the car on the #34 Team Schemes page.(4-23-2013)

Love's Travel Stops on the #34 at Texas: The red and yellow colors of Love's Travel Stops will be back on a Front Row Motorsports Ford this week - this time under the lights at the always-fast Texas Motor Speedway with David Ragan and the #34 team. Saturday night's event will be a "home game" for team partner Love's, which is based in nearby Oklahoma City, Okla. The company is family-owned and operated with more than 290 locations in 39 states and is currently ranked #9 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. This week's race is the second of three in which a Front Row car will carry the Love's colors.(Front Row Motorsports)(4-10-2013)

Dockside Logistics sponsoring Ragan: Like most drivers, #34-David Ragan circles the Bristol Motor Speedway race on the calendar as one to look forward to. But this year, he also put a question mark next to it. Without any Sprint Cup Series testing at the .533-mile oval in the new Gen-6 car, the driver says the short track will be the first "wild card" on the 2013 schedule. But he likes his chances. Ragan earned his second NASCAR win at the track in 2009 in the Nationwide Series. He has 12 Sprint Cup starts at Bristol with a top finish of 10th. Sunday's race will mark the NASCAR debut of Dockside Logistics on the #34 Ford. The company provides distribution, warehouse services, port operations and transportation, serving the Southeast from Charleston, S.C.(Front Row Motorsports), see an image ofthe car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(3-13-2013)

Detail Doctor to sponsor Ragan for Daytona 500: The Detail Doctor, the vinyl, leather and plastic "As Seen on TV" car restorer will be the primary sponsor of David Ragan's #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Detail Doctor is a one-step application that protects and restores a vehicle's bumper, moldings, door panels, mirror covers and interior dashboards. It's distributed by Ideavillage Products Corp., the developer and marketer of some of the most successful "As Seen on TV" consumer products in history. Detail Doctor is endorsed by TV personality Danny "The Count" Koker. Fans of custom choppers and hot rods know Koker from his appearances on the History Channel's hit series "Counting Cars" and "Pawn Stars."
"This is a perfect partnership for me," said Ragan, who, like Koker, is an avid car collector. "I've got a whole garage full of older cars that I've acquired over the years that I like to tinker with and fix up. The Detail Doctor is just what I need, so I'm excited to welcome them to the team. One look at the paint scheme that we will run in the 500 will tell everyone how the product can make old cars look like new. And you can't get a better platform than the Daytona 500 to showcase a brand, especially a new auto care one." The race will mark the first time the Detail Doctor has been promoted on a Sprint Cup Series car and is being done in conjunction with the product's release in Walmart and other major retailers.
"I am a car lover myself," said Ideavillage CEO Andy Khubani. "I'm excited about the Detail Doctor brand, its launch in Walmart and major retail, and its endorsement by David Ragan and Front Row Motorsports. David is a great brand ambassador and 'The Count' and I are happy to welcome him to the Detail Doctor family. We think the fans will love what the Detail Doctor and Front Row have done with the #34 paint scheme that will debut at Daytona, which showcases the quality of the Detail Doctor Car Restorer."(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(2-14-2013)

Love's Travel Stops Partners with Front Row for 3 Races: Front Row Motorsports will take the green flag on the 2013 season with another new partner. Love's Travel Stops will sponsor Front Row Motorsports for three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500. The travel center's colors will adorn David Gilliland's #38 Ford for Daytona 500, David Ragan's #34 Ford at Texas in April, and a third race to be determined. Love's Travel Stops, based in Oklahoma City, Okla., is family-owned and operated with more than 290 locations in 39 states and is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits), see an image of the #38 scheme on the #38 Team Schemes page.(2-9-2013)

CSX Transportation Joins Front Row Motorsports for 2013 Season: CSX Transportation is teaming up with Front Row Motorsports and driver David Ragan to remind NASCAR fans to "Play it Safe" around railroad tracks. CSX will serve as a primary sponsor of Ragan's #34 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry at Richmond International Raceway on April 27, as a major associate in five additional events - Daytona (2/24), Michigan (6/16), Watkins Glen (8/11), Chicago (9/15) and Talladega (10/20) - and be featured on Ragan's #34 car throughout the entire 2013 season. Ragan, a seasoned safety messaging spokesperson, is happy to be pairing up with CSX at Front Row Motorsports. "It's important for all of us to be safe around railroad crossings and tracks. Far too many incidents occur each year simply because people don't recognize the danger associated with taking unnecessary changes around railroads," Ragan said. "I'm glad CSX is bringing this issue to the forefront of the NASCAR fan base and I'm honored to champion their message." More than 2,000 crossing collisions occurred in the U.S. in the most recent year for which statistics are available, and more than 400 pedestrians were killed on the nation's railroad tracks. "Play it Safe" is a CSX safety campaign that is online, at NASCAR events, and on college campuses.
"We're pleased to join with Front Row Motorsports and David Ragan to show people that the injuries and fatalities associated with crossing collision and trespassing on railroad tracks are completely avoidable if you play it safe," said Cliff Stayton, director-community affairs and safety. "David's work on distracted driving and other safety messages makes him the right spokesman for CSX's campaign." Chief Marketing Officer Robin Johnson welcomes CSX to Front Row Motorsports for the 2013 season. "CSX is not only a leading transportation provider, but a leader in safety initiatives," Johnson said. Marketing Director Mike Laheta added, "I'm encouraged with the sponsorship landscape that is shaping up for 2013. Adding a highly respected Fortune 250 company like CSX to our sponsorship base is evidence of the value proposition here at FRM."(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(1-25-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #34-David Ragan / Front Row Motorsports David Ragan signed for the 2013 season to run the #34 FRM Ford, a one year deal. So far the team has announced, McCall Farms, Peanut Patch to sponsor the #34 in four races. Jay Guy returns as Regan crew chief. FRM with continue to be a three-car team with #26-Josh Wise and #38-David Gilliland. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-22-2013)

Front Row Motorsports hire new crew chiefs: Front Row Motorsports' opening-day line-up is complete with the hiring of Frank Kerr as crew chief of David Gilliland's #38 Ford and Steven Lane as crew chief of Josh Wise's #26 Ford. The two NASCAR veterans joined the Statesville, N.C.-based Sprint Cup Series team this week. Kerr was most recently at #47-JTG Daugherty Racing [Kerr also crew chiefed on the #44 Xxxtreme Motorsports Chevy team at the end of 2012 when David Reuitman qualified the #44 at Phoenix], where he served as crew chief for Bobby Labonte in 2011 and Marcos Ambrose in 2009 and 2010. The former sprint-car champion has been a staple of the Sprint Cup garage since 2000 and has worked with drivers including David Reutimann, Robby Gordon and Stacy Compton. He'll be rejoined with #38-Gilliland, who worked briefly with Kerr in a Nationwide Series ride in 2005 and now enters his fourth year with Front Row. "I'm looking forward to working with this young team," Kerr said. "As an organization they've only been on track for a few short years, but there's a lot of experience in the shop, in the leadership and behind the wheel. I'm looking forward to helping them continue to grow."
Lane is a 12-year veteran atop the pit box, leading teams for organizations including Petty Enterprises and Chip Ganassi Racing in his Sprint Cup career and working with drivers such as Kyle Petty, Dario Franchitti and David Stremme [in 2012]. Joining the #26 team marks a return to Front Row Motorsports for Lane, who led the team's first full-time Sprint Cup campaign in 2009 with John Andretti behind the wheel of the team's flagship #34 car. He also served as crew chief for Travis Kvapil, who drove the #34 Ford in 2010. Lane will be paired with Wise in an expanded, full-time schedule for the young driver of the #26 Ford. "This will definitely feel like a homecoming of sorts, back with Front Row and back with Ford," Lane said. "It was a great experience to help get Front Row's first full-time Cup team off the ground back in 2009, and this will be a similar experience working with Josh as he expands his role with the team."
Jay Guy returns as crew chief for David Ragan's #34 team to round out Front Row's crew-chief line-up entering the 2013 season. The new hirings allow Derrick Finley to return full-time to his role of competition director for the young team. Finley had also been serving as Gilliland's crew chief since October. "It's great to have three veteran guys leading our race teams and have Derrick back exclusively in his competition director role as we start the season with the new Ford Fusions," said team owner Bob Jenkins. "Just like every other team, we're going to have a lot of benchmarking, analysis and building to do this season and it'll help us to have a solid, experienced group leading that effort with each guy having a focused role." The team will continue its pre-season testing of the new Fusions Jan. 17 and 18 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in preparation for the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 21.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(1-17-2013)

McCall Farms, Peanut Patch to Sponsor Ragan for 4 Races South Carolina's McCall Farms will return to the #34 Ford of David Ragan for four races in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign for the second consecutive season. After first joining Front Row Motorsports in May 2012 at Darlington Raceway, McCall Farms returned to the #34 car for additional races at Bristol, Atlanta and Charlotte. The company's Margaret Holmes Peanut Patch brand will serve as the primary sponsor of the Front Row Motorsports entry at the same four venues in 2013. The Peanut Patch Ford will make its 2013 debut just miles from McCall Farms' Effingham, S.C., headquarters in the May 11 race in Darlington. Peanut Patch will also adorn the car at Bristol on Aug. 24, Atlanta on Sept. 1 and Charlotte on Oct. 12.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(12-18-2012)

Front Row Motorsports announces 2013 plans: Renewals of long-time partnerships will have Front Row Motorsports poised to run its most competitive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season ever in 2013, with the team announcing new agreements with drivers David Ragan, David Gilliland and Josh Wise. The team will also continue its relationships with manufacturing partner Ford Racing and engine builder Roush Yates Racing Engines.
Front Row Motorsports enters its fourth year teaming with Gilliland, Ford and Roush Yates - relationships that have brought stability and growth to the still-young team entering its fifth full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series. Race winner Ragan joined the line-up for the 2012 season, helping the team earn its best average finishes and the best year-end point rankings for the #34 and #38 entries in Front Row history.
The 2012 season saw Ragan and Gilliland combine for one top-five, two top-10, four top-15 and eight top-20 finishes, and an average finish of 27th. Ragan finished the season 28th in the driver point standings and Gilliland ended the season in 30th. The team continued to show its strength on superspeedways, where Ford and Roush Yates power helped Ragan and Gilliland earn their best results of the season. The 26-year-old Ragan will return to the cockpit of the #34 entry and the 36-year-old Gilliland will once again pilot the #38. Wise will return to the #26 Ford for all 36 Sprint Cup races with sponsorship from MDS Transport after completing the 2012 season in a part-time capacity with Front Row. The team plans to increase the 29-year-old driver's time on track in 2013 with a more competitive schedule of race entries.
Team owner Bob Jenkins sees how the stability of key partnerships helps the team improve each year. "You often see a lot of young teams going through a lot of changes trying to make it in the Sprint Cup Series," Jenkins said. "We've been fortunate that we've had a lot of stable partners, people who believe in our approach and are seeing year-to-year improvements as a result of that approach. David Gilliland has been a rock for us for three years and David Ragan brought race-winning experience to us last year and returns for 2013. That stability is huge for a young, developing team, and I know we'll continue to improve and have even better results this upcoming season."
Jay Guy will return as crew chief for Ragan's #34 team and Derrick Finley will continue to lead Gilliland's #38 crew. The drivers recognize and appreciate the importance of continuity from year to year within the organization.
"There's always a learning curve whenever something new is thrown into the mix, whether it's a new driver, new crew chief, new car or new team members," Ragan said. "We have a new Ford Fusion for 2013, which I'm really excited about, so it will be really important and really helpful that all the other variables aren't changing. My crew chief, Jay Guy, and I built a great working relationship last year and that will help us be better this coming year."
"I'm excited to start my fourth year with Front Row Motorsports," Gilliland said. "We've gotten better each and every season and I'm eager to get the season going with Derrick (Finley) again. Bob Jenkins has put a lot into this team since he started with a part-time team back in '05. He's growing it the way he should and the results are showing." Front Row Motorsports will be on track for the first time in the new Sprint Cup Series Ford Fusions Jan. 10 to 12 when the team participates in Pre-Season Thunder, the annual three-day test session at Daytona International Speedway to prepare for the season-opening Daytona 500 in February. The team is finalizing sponsorship agreements for the 2013 season with announcements expected soon.(Front Row Motorsports)(12-13-2012)

Ragan hopes to return to Front Row Motorsports in 2013: This weekend David Ragan will be completing his first season with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) as the driver of the #34 Ford. Ragan, 26, joined the organization in late January and has piloted the FRM 34 Ford in all events this year. He has collected two top-10 and one top-five finishes this season. His best result came at Talladega in October when he crossed the line in the fourth position. Said Ragan: "As my first season ends with Front Row Motorsports, I want to thank everyone associated with the team and organization. I've got to thank Bob (Jenkins, team owner), Jerry Freeze (General Manager), Jay (Guy, crew chief) and everyone on my crew. I think everyone worked really hard this year. We expected a little bit more, but now we can concentrate on working on what's next. I'd like the opportunity to come back with Front Row Motorsports in 2013. We have had some discussions about that, but don't have anything locked up just yet. I think those are the talks we have over the off-season, but I feel we're all in this together. We know where we can make some improvements. We made some strides forward this year, but we all know that there is still a lot of room to grow. I'd like to be a part of that. I think Front Row Motorsports is really one of the few organizations that have the ability to really make another big leap forward next year. Looking around, everyone can improve, but I think Front Row can really make a big leap with the right pieces. It's really a great team and I've enjoyed myself here. I hope I can return in 2013 and be part of the continued growth."(FRM)(11-14-2012)

Client One Securities sponsoring Ragan: Client One Securities, LLC., a full service broker dealer and registered investment advisor from the greater Kansas City area serving representatives from all across the country, will join Front Row Motorsports as the primary sponsor of David Ragan's #34 Ford this weekend at Kansas Speedway. The company's offering of services include: financial planning, investment advisory services, mutual funds, ETFs, variable products, stocks, bonds, fixed annuities, online account access and more.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(10-17-2012)

Dueling Davids Can Earn One Million Dollars: At a press conference earlier Thursday, Glory Foods, along with and NASCAR drivers #34-David Ragan and #38-David Gilliland, both of Front Row Motorsports, presented $50,000 to Feeding America to benefit its child hunger relief efforts. The donation is a part of the "Race To Feeding America" campaign, which officially launched July 30. Today's monetary gift, along with the contribution of more than 54,600 pounds of canned goods thus far, will help the campaign exceed its goal of more than 500,000 meals to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic-hunger relief charity. On Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Gilliland and Ragan will have a spirited head-to-head challenge to see if either can take the checkered flag to donate $1 million from Glory Foods, Inc. to Feeding America. The Bank of America 500 will be the "Race To Feeding America" finale race, rounding out a total of four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in which Glory Foods sponsored the #34 of Ragan either the #38 of Gilliland in 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in Daytona in July, Bristol in August and Atlanta in Spet. NASCAR fans can help by visiting the campaign's official website, www.racetofeedingamerica.org, or donate to member food banks of Feeding America in their communities.(FRM), see images of the cars on the #34 Team Schemes page and #38 Team Schemes page.(10-12-2012)

Glory Foods to Sponsor Gilliland & Ragan at Charlotte: There will be two Glory Foods-sponsored Fords at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Glory Foods will sponsor the Front Row Motorsports entries of David Ragan and the #34 team and also David Gilliland and the #38 team. The sponsorship is aimed to bring awareness to the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, Feeding America. Glory Foods has partnered with Feeding America this year to support the cause against child hunger. As part of the "Race to Feeding America" campaign, Glory Foods will donate $1 million to Feeding America if either David Ragan or David Gilliland wins Saturday night's 500-mile race. Gilliland and Ragan have already helped Glory Foods donate 43,000 pounds of canned goods to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, a Feeding America Food Bank in Charlotte. This weekend's race is the third sponsorship by Glory Foods with the race team and the "Race to Feeding America" campaign. Glory Foods previously sponsored the #34 team at both Bristol and Atlanta this fall with David Ragan behind the wheel. Ragan is now ready to race for the million dollar donation, an amount that would provide 8 million meals to children in need.(Breaking Limits)(10-10-2012)

MHP colors return to the #34 at Talladega: David Ragan will arrive to the Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday's 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event with a few guests courtesy of his sponsor Maximum Human Performance (MHP). MHP, the season-long partner of Ragan and Front Row Motorsports, will be hosting VH1 Mob Wives reality TV star Drita D'Avanzo and their recent "One Hot Mother" model search winner Crystal Marie at the track this weekend. Both will be helping Ragan and the race team continue to educate fans about MHP products 8-Hour Alert and Fit & Lean Power Pak Pudding. In addition to the colors of 8-Hour Alert on the No. 34 Ford Fusion this weekend, MHP has partnered with D'rita to help bring awareness to her charitable foundation, "Single But Not Alone," which helps support single mothers.(Breaking Limits/Front Row), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(10-4-2012)

Ragan unsure of 2013 plans: David Ragan, 26, was once on Roush Fenway Racing's fast track  until a lack of sponsorship derailed his future with the Ford powerhouse. Although Ragan was considered at candidate for the #22 Penske Racing Dodge, that dream evaporated when AJ Allmendinger was selected for the ride. Ragan landed at Front Row Motorsports in the #34 Ford. But his contract is up at the end of the year. Ragan says he'd like to "be in a more competitive car week in and week out," and he's not discounting the ability for FRM to continue the building curve. "Everyone goes into these final 10 races with a few different goals in mind," Ragan said. "You have some guys trying to win a championship, some guys trying to get into the top 35 and some guys trying to save their rides. I've been there and done that. For our Front Row Motorsports team, we're just trying to get into the top 30 for the first time."(FoxSports)(9-23-2012)

Ragan, #34 to Carry Colors of Shriners Hospitals for Children: A special cause will be featured on the #34 Ford of David Ragan at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. Ragan will be carrying the colors of Shriners Hospitals for Children and their tagline, Love to the rescue. Shriners Hospitals for Children provides specialty care to children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families' ability to pay. All care and services are delivered in a family-centered environment. At the 2012 Imperial Session in Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR driver David Ragan was inducted into Shriners International fraternity as a member of Oasis Shriners. In addition to Ragan's racing achievements, he is a loyal supporter of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Since naming the pediatric health care system his official charity of choice in 2008, he has used his popularity to increase awareness and raise funds for the organization. In addition, Ragan has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit several of the Shriners Hospitals and participate in public service announcements (FRM), see images of the scheme on my #34 Team Schemes page.(9-20-2012)

Distraction.gov featured on #34 Ford at Chicago: Front Row Motorsports will feature the message, "One Text or Call, Could Wreck it All" on the hood of David Ragan's #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. The entry will also carry the logos of www.Distraction.gov - The Official U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving. In 2010, over 400,000 people were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver. Distracted driving includes: using a cell phone or smartphone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading- including maps, using a navigation system, watching a video and adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player.(Breaking Limits/Front Row), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(9-12-2012)

Glory Foods to sponsor Ragan at Bristol: The orange and purple colors of Glory Foods debut on David Ragan's #34 Ford Fusion this weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Bristol, Tenn. for the running of the Irwin Tools Night Race. Bristol marks the first race for Glory Foods since announcing the Race To Feeding America campaign. The Feeding America logo will adorn the decklid of the #34 Ford.NASCAR fans can visit www.RaceToFeedingAmerica.com to donate, and also win a VIP Trip to the 2013 Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C. If Ragan, or teammate David Gilliland can make it to victory lane in October's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Glory Foods will donate $1 Million to Feeding America. While Bristol has become famous for its unique driver introductions, Ragan won't be walking out to any new top-40 hits. Instead, Ragan, who owns a Mayberry Police Cruiser in his car collection, has selected the theme song of The Andy Griffith Show as his entrance tune.(Front Row Motorsports PR), see images of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(8-25-2012)

Front Row Motorsports Among America's Fastest Growing Companies: Front Row Motorsports (FRM), which fields the #26, #34 and #38 Fords in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was named to Inc. Magazine's list of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. FRM earned a rank of No. 800 on the list. This marks the first time a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team has made the Inc. 5000 list. Front Row Motorsports has welcomed twelve new primary sponsors this season: Glory Foods, ModSpace, Maximum Human Performance, Scorpion Coatings, Barrett-Jackson, House-Autry Mills, Big Machine Label Group, Classic Media (Where's Waldo), Green1 Performance, Peanut Patch, 1-800LoanMart, and U.S. Shredder and Castings Group. Five of those twelve partnerships have turned into multi-race programs. The team's sponsorship portfolio is representative of nearly $172 billion of the U.S. economy. "Our team is focused on constant improvement both on the racetrack and in the marketplace" said team General Manager, Jerry Freeze, who has been with FRM since 2009. "Being named to the Inc. 5000 is certainly a victory for us off the track and shows that we are capable of winning in corporate America. We're an interesting case study to look at  we've raced at least two teams full-time in the Sprint Cup Series since 2009. We're a team that came into the sport right as the economy started to take a turn for the worse. We've weathered the storm, so to speak. Being named to the Inc. 5000 is a nice way to be recognized for our hard work and resiliency" said Freeze. The team's driver lineup currently includes #38-David Gilliland, #34-David Ragan and #26-Josh Wise.(FRM)(8-23-2012)

Where's Waldo scheme for Ragan at Martinsville: Everyone's favorite globetrotter, Where's Waldo?, has been known to pop-up wherever the action is and he's at it again! To celebrate his 25th anniversary, Classic Media, the driving force behind Where's Waldo? has partnered with Front Row Motorsports and Lionel NASCAR Collectables to have Waldo spotted on David Ragan's #34 Ford Fusion later this season, when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway for the October 28th race weekend. In perhaps one of the most unique paint schemes in NASCAR history, the entire #34 Ford will transform into the iconic Where's Waldo? "On The Beach" scene that will then be rolled out as limited edition die-cast cars. Fans can visit FrontRowMotorsports.com to learn more about the car(FRM / LNC Pit Box), see images of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(7-31-2012)

Front Row Motorsports surprise paralyzed veteran: A visit and tour of Front Row Motorsports' NASCAR facilities in Statesville on Monday turned into an emotional, surprise gifting for a military veteran from Charlotte who was paralyzed from the waist down in an April accident. Chuck Wesson, formerly a Sgt. 1st Class of the U.S. Army, lost all feeling and movement in his legs after a hit-and-run driver struck him from behind, breaking his back, on a city street outside of Fort Campbell, an army base located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border where Wesson was stationed. While the 34-year-old Wesson has been rehabbing the past several months, he got hooked up with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization that works to foster a sense of community and bring aid to wounded soldiers. He said a WWP representative found him the first day he started rehab, about a week-and-a-half after surgery. Unbeknownst to Wesson, WWP had been working behind the scenes the past month planning something special for him. WWP invited Wesson to Front Row Motorsports, which employs NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racers #34-David Ragan, #38-David Gilliland and #26-Josh Wise, for what Wesson was told would be lunch and a tour of the facility, where around 20 race cars are stored and maintained. But the real surprise was the unveiling of the gift of a hand-cycle, a three-wheeled apparatus operated by the arms, to Wesson. Wesson was led around Front Row Motorsports' shop by Ragan, who connected with WWP last fall. WWP organized a quail hunt for a group of six wounded veterans for which Ragan donated the use of his land and time in southern Georgia.(Statesville Record & Landmark)(7-17-2012)

In Light of Recent Comments on Supplements, MHP sponsors Ragan: In light of comments made by one NASCAR driver [Brad Keselowski], New Jersey's, Maximum Human Performance (MHP), has decided to sponsor David Ragan's #34 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry in Sunday's race at New Hampshire. Ragan, will roll of the starting grid 19th in the 8-Hour Alert/MHP Ford. MHP offers a full line of supplements and their X-Fit line of products is used regularly by Front Row's #34 and #38 pit crews.
MHP CEO, Gerard Dente commented, "This was not one of our regularly scheduled races to be on David Ragan's #34 car, but after the experience we had last weekend at Daytona and the recent press the supplement industry has received in the NASCAR world, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to add a race to our schedule and get the truth out about supplements." He continued, "our MHP X-Fit pit crews are tested regularly and subject to the same drug testing policy the rest of the NASCAR garage is. When used as directed, supplements can be an excellent way to maximize performance, add longevity to an athletic career, and promote a healthy lifestyle overall"
Steve Downs, MHP's Marketing Director, believes the driver is entitled to his own opinion, commenting, "That is his opinion and everyone is entitled to have an opinion. NASCAR has policies, rules and regulations in place for supplements just like they do for the engines and the designs of the cars. I think the disconnect is that he isn't looking at the evolution of performance nutrition for athletes in the same light he would look at the advancements and changes in car parts and engineering." Downs continued, "Often what you don't know can scare you. I think if he had better understanding and knowledge of supplementation and it's benefits to health and performance he may have a different opinion. A lot of what he said was centered around the ramifications of a driver failing a drug test. FRM drivers and crew members have been using MHP supplements with no issues. NASCAR has a policy in place for the safety and fairness of it's athletes. It's the athlete's responsibility follow these guidelines and to align themselves with a reputable supplement brand so they can achieve peak performance without breaking the rules or risking their health."(Front Row Motorsports)(7-14-2012)

MHP's 8-HOUR ALERT sponsoring Ragan at Daytona and Talladega: With the launch of its new 8-HOUR ALERT sustained energy tablet, MHP has muscled in on the growing energy supplement marketplace in a big way. MHP introduced this revolutionary product to the public for the first time at the FedEx 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on June 2nd when it sponsored David Ragan's 8-HOUR ALERT #34 car. Ragan will next race his MHP 8-HOUR ALERT car at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, where he is the defending champion. He is also set to drive the #34 8-HOUR ALERT racecar in the October 7th Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talledega Superspeedway, where Ragan posted a top-10 finish earlier this season.(MHP PR)(7-2-2012)

Ragan gets new sponsor for Sonoma: Front Row Motorsports driver David Ragan will be driving the #34 Green1  High Performance Green Car during Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, CA. The Green1 NASCAR Front Row team sponsorship follows last month's Green1 Indy Car Racing Series sponsorship of Bryan Herta Autosport driver Alex Tagliani and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team standout driver Joseph Newgarden. This is Green1 Environmental Inc.'s first primary sponsorship in NASCAR Sprint Cup series competition. Sunday's race at Sonoma will kick off a season-long partnership with Front Row Motorsports. The organization's three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams use Green1 in their Race Shop in Statesville, NC and will use Green1 trackside at Sonoma Raceway. Green1 is capable of replacing 80% of toxic, hazardous chemicals commonly used in Cup car garages and home race shops. Green1 is a 100% bio-based, non-toxic, non-hazardous, green "cleaning" solution.(FRM), see an image of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(6-19-2012)

8-Hour Alert sponsoring Ragan at Dover: David Ragan will bring the colors of MHP to the one-mile Dover International Speedway for this weekend's 400-mile Sprint Cup Series event. Ragan will debut the companies 8-Hour Alert product on the #34 Ford. Fans are aware of their X-Fit and Power Pak Pudding brands, used weekly by the Front Row Motorsports pit crew, and now will have an opportunity to learn more about 8-Hour Alert. The featured brand on Ragan's Ford this weekend is a dietary supplement available in tablet form. It is used to support feelings of energy, alertness and awareness for up to 8 hours.(Front Row Motorsports / Breaking Limits), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(5-31-2011)

McCall Farms signs multi-race sponsorship extension with Front Row: Coming off of a successful foray into NASCAR team sponsorship at Darlington Raceway, McCall Farms has partnered with Front Row Motorsports for six additional races of primary sponsorship in the 2012 season. The sponsorship will feature three McCall Farms brands: Margaret Holmes, Peanut Patch, and Glory Foods. While McCall Farms will continue to utilize #34-David Ragan as the representative for its Margaret Holmes and Peanut Patch brands, the company will also utilize David Gilliland and his #38 Ford to carry the colors of its Glory Foods brand. David Ragan will sport Margaret Holmes colors in three remaining 2012 events: Bristol Motor Speedway (8/25), Atlanta Motor Speedway (9/2), and Charlotte Motor Speedway (10/13). David Gilliland will race the #38 Glory Foods entry for three races as well: Daytona International Speedway (7/7), Talladega Superspeedway (10/7), and Charlotte Motor Speedway (10/13). McCall Farms' program will feature Front Row Motorsports driver displays at retail, special edition product packaging, driver appearances, client hospitality, in-race-market signage, social media promotions, a national sweepstakes, a significant cause marketing program and an employee appreciation day at the company's Effingham, S.C. headquarters.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(5-30-2012)

Scorpion and Al's Liner on #34 This Weekend: #34-David Ragan will once again carry the scheme of Al's Liner and Scorpion Protective Coatings this weekend during the Coca-Cola 600. The company has been impressed with Ragan and Front Row Motorsports in 2012 and has increased its presence with the team since debuting in Daytona. In addition to Scorpion, Ragan will also host Craig Krenzel, quarterback of the 2002 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Krenzel is now a principal with Arthur, Krenzel, Lett Insurance Group, which will be an associate sponsor on the car this weekend (FRM), see images of the car/scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(5-23-2012)

Ragan gets sponsor for All-Star race: David Ragan will pilot the #34 U.S. Shredder Ford in this Saturday's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ragan is glad to be racing at Charlotte once again, a track where he has posted three career top-10 finishes, including a victory in last season's Sprint All-Star Showdown and an 8th place effort in last year's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The race will mark U.S. Shredder's first foray into NASCAR. The company, which headquarters its sales team in Trussville, AL noticed Ragan's strong run two weeks ago at Talladega and decided to come on-board. "We saw David and Front Row Motorsports running well, and we saw there was space available on David's car, so we decided to contact Front Row Motorsports and see if we could work something out," said President, Bill Tigner. U.S. Shredder is one of the world's leading suppliers of equipment and parts to the Scrap Industry. The company supplies equipment, parts, castings, wear parts and service to essentially any aspect of the Scrap Metal Recycling Industry throughout the world. The industry is a $180 billion dollar per year industry and directly employs over 137,000 workers. The company is a member of the ISRI, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, which U.S. Shredder has invited to share space on the hood of the #34 car. Fans looking for a reference point on just how big the scrap recycling industry is should note that each day in the United States, enough steel is recycled to build the Eifel Tower 25 times over. The company believes strongly in giving back to the community. Each October, it promotes the "Castings for a Cure" program, donating a portion of all casting sales to the cause of breast cancer research and awareness (FRM), see an image of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(5-15-2012)

Fallen police officers to be honored by Ragan at Darlington There will be a lot of decals on #34-David Ragan's Ford May 11 for the Bojangles' Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway, but none more important than ones honoring fallen Aiken Public Safety officers Scotty Richardson and Sandy Rogers. Ragan's team, Front Row Motorsports, will pay tribute to the officers who were gunned down in a span of 39 days. Ragan lived in Aiken as a child before moving to Unadilla, Ga. The team decided more than a month ago to honor the fallen officers. [It has] picked up sponsorship from Effingham, S.C.'s, McCall Farms, but it won't change how Ragan and Front Row Motorsports plan to bring attention to Richardson and Rogers. With a weekly cost of nearly $400,000 to operate a race team, every inch on Ragan's No. 34 Ford is valuable. The team didn't announce how much McCall Farms will spend to promote its canned boil peanuts, but it probably won't cover all the costs. Even if more money becomes available, the team said the space reserved for Richardson and Rogers isn't for sale. Richardson was killed Dec. 20 when he and partner Travis Griffin stopped a car suspected to be involved in a drive-by shooting. Both officers were shot during the stop. Richardson died and the partner was saved by his bulletproof vest. Aiken's Stephon M. Carter, 19, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Rogers was approaching a car on Jan. 28 following a shooting that left another woman dead when she was gunned down. She is the first woman in South Carolina state history to be killed in the line of duty. Joshua Tremaine Jones of Augusta has been charged with killing Rogers and 21-year-old Cayce Vice of Augusta.(Augusta Chronicle)(5-8-2012)

Ragan and McCall Farms Team Up in Darlington: History, superstition and common logic would all advise against placing green and peanuts on a racecar, however when David Ragan takes the green flag at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 12, he will be doing both of those things. Ragan, a native of Unadilla, Georgia, will have support from Effingham, South Carolina's McCall Farms for the event. The driver, who holds a career best finish of 5th at Darlington, will be carrying the colors of "The South's Favorite Snack" - Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts during the historic, Bojangles' Southern 500. While the #34 Sprint Cup Series car will primarily feature the Peanut Patch Brand, it will also feature associate branding from McCall's Margaret Holmes and Glory Foods brands as well. While McCall Farms is a family-run business, they are no small outfit. The company employs over 550 people in the Darlington area and their products can be found in many retail locations in the southeast, including: Wal-Mart, Kroger, Bi-Lo, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, I.G.A. and Harris Teeter. McCall Farms will receive primary branding on Front Row Motorsports' #34 Ford, driven by David Ragan for the Darlington race, as well as associate rights for the remainder of the season and official partner status with the team. Starting May 7th, 2012 fans can visit the Front Row Motorsports Facebook page and enter to win a David Ragan Peanut Patch T-Shirt via the "Go Nuts for David Ragan" promotion. A David Ragan Peanut Patch T-Shirt and Hat will be made available for online purchase once the team hosts its paint scheme unveiling.(Front Row Motorsports)(5-2-2012)

Barrett-Jackson Returns to Ragan's #34 Ford: David Ragan is back in black. The black paint scheme with the red Barrett-Jackson logo returns to the #34 Ford for the upcoming race weekend at Kansas Speedway. The 1.5-mile oval could be the scene of Ragan's first top-20 finish with Front Row Motorsports. His previous six Sprint Cup starts at Kansas have seen him run in the front half of the pack and the #34 team is working to keep him there during Sunday's STP 400. NASCAR statistics over the last eight races at the Kansas City, Kan., track show Ragan among the top 20 drivers in average running position (19th), driver rating (18th), green-flag passes (17th) and green-flag speed (20th). Sunday's race will be the second that the colors of the automotive auction house adorn the #34 Ford. The Barrett-Jackson scheme debuted in March in Phoenix, where Ragan drove it to a 25th-place finish.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits), see images of the car on my #34 Team Schemes page.(4-17-2012)

#34 has sponsor for Texas UPDATE: per Front Row Motorsports Facebook - Scorpion Truck Bed Liners will be on the #34 car [David Ragan] for the Texas race next week. See images of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(4-9-2012)
UPDATE: When David Ragan was at Texas Motor Speedway one year ago, the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup field was lining up behind him. The big, fast oval in Forth Worth was the scene of the first of Ragan's two poles on the 2011 season. Ragan returns to the 1.5-mile track for Saturday night's Samsung Mobile 500 in the #34 Ford of Front Row Motorsports. Scorpion Truck Bed Liners returns to Ragan's Ford Fusion for the race weekend in a newly added race to its sponsorship schedule after making its NASCAR debut in the season-opening Daytona 500. The Cloverdale, Ind.-based company will also be on the #34 car for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scorpion is the official bed liner, window film and protective coatings line of Ragan and Front Row Motorsports. "Scorpion is very excited to be working with Front Row Motorsports and the No. 34 car of David Ragan again in Texas," said Clayton Tomasino, CEO of Scorpion. "It's been great to see the fans embrace our brand and show their support through social media and elsewhere and we look forward to that support growing even more."(Breaking Limite PR/FRM)(4-12-2012)

Ragan visits hospital: Sprint Cup driver #34-David Ragan stopped by the Shriners Children's Hospital in Greenville, SC on Monday to speak with some of the patients and their families. Ragan has been a supporter of the hospital for several years. He named the hospital as his charity of choice in 2008. He has helped raise $150,000 for the facility through his personal donations and help from other charity campaigns. "There's so many things going through their heads as a young guy or girl, having a surgery or being at the hospital," Ragan said. "So, sometimes it's good to get their mind off of reality."(FOX Carolina)(3-20-2012)

Barrett-Jackson to sponsor Ragan at Phoenix: The #34 Ford Fusion won't be up for auction, but Barrett-Jackson will be all over it at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. The famed automotive auction house will be the primary sponsor of David Ragan's entry in this weekend's Subway Fresh Fit 500 at the one-mile oval in the desert. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the "World's Greatest Collector Car Events" in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif.(Front Row Motorsports)(2-29-2012)

Scorpion Truck Bed Liners Joins Front Row Motorsports: Truck bed liner, window film and protective coatings company Scorpion Protective Coatings Inc. will enter the NASCAR arena for the first time, joining Front Row Motorsports as a multi-race partner in the team's 2012 Sprint Cup Series campaign. Scorpion's program will include primary sponsorship of David Ragan's #34 Ford in two of NASCAR's most storied events, the season-opening Daytona 500 and the famed Brickyard 400. Scorpion will be an associate sponsor on the car for all other races in the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season. Scorpion will also be the official bed liner, window film and protective coatings line of Front Row Motorsports and David Ragan. Company experts will also work with the team's operational managers to develop applications to improve and maximize the life and performance of team equipment and vehicles throughout the season. Cloverdale, Ind.-based Scorpion was launched in 1996 and is a world-wide leader in protective liners, window films and coatings. Scorpion boasts a highly durable, completely UV-stable truck bed liner that can be customized to fit any purpose and also offers premium films for automotive, commercial-residential, and paint protection films. In 2008, the company launched Al's Liner, a professional-grade line of products designed for the "do-it-yourself" automotive community. For more information about Scorpion, visit Scorpioncoatings.com or alsliner.com.(Front Row Motorsports / Breaking Limits), see an image of the scheme on my #34 Team Schemes page.(2-16-2012)

Ragan to run Pudding Pak scheme in Shootout: David Ragan will be behind the wheel of the #34 MHP Power Pak Pudding car this Saturday night when the 2012 NASCAR racing series kicks off with the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. "We are very excited about David's chances at the Bud Shootout on Saturday," said Gerard Dente, CEO of MHP. "He has had a good history at the track and the car is running great. We can't wait to see the Power Pak Pudding car on the track on national TV! And how cool would it be to see David Ragan in a double biceps pose in the winner's circle?"(MHP), see an image of the scheme on my #34 Team Schemes page.(2-16-2012)

MHP to sponsor Front Row: Sport supplement company Maximum Human Performance (MHP) will bring its message to NASCAR fans for the first time, joining Front Row Motorsports as a multi-race, multi-year partner in the team's Sprint Cup Series campaigns. MHP will be a primary sponsor for multiple races in both 2012 and 2013, including the upcoming Budweiser Shootout exhibition race on David Ragan's #34 Ford and the season-opening Daytona 500 on David Gilliland's #38 Ford. MHP will also be the official sport supplement line of Front Row Motorsports and an official sponsor of the #34 and #38 pit crews. Company experts will work with the team's pit crew coach and trainers to develop nutritional and fitness plans to improve and maximize the performance of the over-the-wall crew throughout the season. "This is really going to be a unique program," said Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. "Sponsors, of course, help make your race programs better across the board via funding, but this is a case where they're also going to make our pit crews healthier, stronger and faster. Everyone knows that a couple seconds on pit road can make a huge difference on the track. This partnership is focused on getting our athletes in the best shape possible to deliver maximum performance when it matters most." Fairfield, NJ-based MHP was launched in 1997 by bodybuilder Gerard Dente to develop premier science-based, research-driven sports supplements to help athletes achieve their greatest physical potential. The product line is used by world-class athletes, pro bodybuilders, powerlifters, strongmen and fitness enthusiasts alike. Products are sold in vitamin/supplement retail stores and online at www.MHPStrong.com.(Front Row Motorsports / Breaking Limits)(2-8-2012)

ModSpace to Sponsor Front Row Motorsports Fords: Modular construction provider ModSpace will partner with Front Row Motorsports in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a multi-race primary sponsorship and season-long associate sponsorship of the #38 Ford, driven by David Gilliland. The #34 Ford, driven by David Ragan, will also carry an associate sponsorship from ModSpace for the full season. The new motorsports partnership expands an existing business relationship between the Berwyn, Penn.-based company and Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. ModSpace is currently working with Jenkins' quick-service restaurant company to build new Taco Bell/Long John Silver's locations. The new motorsports partnership will help with another type of "building" - the continued growth of Jenkins' Sprint Cup team, which is coming off the best season in its young history. The first appearance of the #38 ModSpace Ford is scheduled for the April 14 race at Texas Motor Speedway. ModSpace is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary or permanent space needs. Building on more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets - including commercial, construction, education, government, healthcare, industrial/energy and special events - through an extensive nationwide branch network throughout the United States and Canada. ModSpace has constructed buildings for renowned clients ranging from the Professional Golf Association (PGA) to General Motors, IBM and the U.S. Army. For more information on the company and its projects, visit ModSpace.com.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(1-25-2012)

David Ragan to Front Row Motorsports: UPDATE: David Ragan, who spent the past five seasons driving for Roush Fenway Racing, will drive for Front Row Motorsports in the Sprint Cup series in 2012. An official announcement is scheduled for early next week, sources said. It remains unclear which team Ragan will drive for at Front Row, which fielded Ford teams last season for #34-David Gilliland and #38-Travis Kvapil [and a limited schedule with the #55].(Charlotte Observer)(1-14-2012)
UPDATE: Front Row Motorsports will follow up its best season in the team's young history by bolstering its line-up for 2012, adding race winner David Ragan to drive the #34 Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Front Row veteran David Gilliland will build off an impressive 2011 season, returning to the team behind the wheel of the team's second entry, the #38 Ford. Ragan joins Front Row after completing a 2011 season that delivered his first Cup win (Daytona International Speedway in July), two poles, and four top-five and eight top-10 finishes. The 26-year-old Unadilla, Ga., native is already a NASCAR veteran, first joining the national stock-car ranks at the age of 18 and quickly ascending to premier-level Sprint Cup racing. His #34 team is locked in to the starting line-up entering the 2012 season, including a guaranteed starting spot in the prestigious Daytona 500 next month. Gilliland returns for his third season with Front Row and his seventh in the Cup series. The 35-year-old Riverside, Calif., native will return to the #38, the number he drove as a Sprint Cup rookie as well as the car he drove in his first season with Front Row. The #38 team is also locked in to the field entering 2012. Last season, Gilliland raced his way to a third-place finish in the Daytona 500 to start off an impressive 2011 run, in which he proved to be a force on superspeedways and road courses. Sponsorship for the Front Row Motorsports entries is being finalized and will be announced soon.(Breaking Limits/Front Row)
AND Jay Guy will be the crew chief for David Ragan and the #34 team, Competition Director Derrick Finley will fill in as crew chief on an interim basis for the #38 team and David Gilliland. The team continues to look for a permanent replacement for former crew chief Peter Sospenzo, who is no longer with the team.(1-16-2012)

Front Row still working on driver lineup: Last season, Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins and general manager Jerry Freeze put together a team of #34-David Gilliland, #38-Travis Kvapil and #55-J.J. Yeley and were able to deliver solid efforts for the NASCAR team located in Statesville, NC. Gilliland drove in all 36 Cup races last year in the #34 Taco Bell Ford with one top-five finish -- an impressive third-place in the season-opening Daytona 500 -- and two top-10 finishes. Kvapil competed in 29 races in the #38 Long John Silver's Ford [and a few in the #55] car but did not crack the top 10. Yeley ran a limited schedule for the team [in the #38 and #55. None of the three drivers are under contract for 2012, but Freeze said the team intends to have all three back because they are the type of drivers the team needs at this stage of its development. "All three drivers have been really good for Front Row Motorsports," Freeze said. "They all fit the same profile. They are drivers with five or six years of Cup experience. They were all champions in another form of racing but haven't made their mark yet in Sprint Cup racing. They are all really hungry to make their mark. We aren't quite set to announce our formal driver lineup yet ... but our plan is to run the #34 and the #38 car along with a third car [which won't use #55 at MWR is running that car number in 2012] that will make some other appearances for us."
There are several high-profile drivers without a ride, and Freeze said with their uncertain lineup, Front Row Motorsports has explored the free-agent market. "We've talked to [David] Ragan and [David] Reutimann," Freeze admitted. "Ragan has been in the Ford family and we talked to him after the season was over out of respect for Ford because they really liked him and wanted to see if there was a fit there. We've talked to David Reutimann, too. If there is a place where he might fit along with a sponsor, we could be an option there. But it's been more casual conversations with those guys and our focus has been on David and J.J. and Travis and [working] on the packages that we have discussed with them."(in part from Sports Illustrated)(12-26-2011)

Front Row Motorsports driver lineup for 2012 not set: [Front Row Motorsports owner Bob] Jenkins has been pouring millions into Front Row as it seeks major sponsorship. Staying in the top 35 could help, as could recruitment of a driver such as David Ragan (who is under the Ford umbrella but was phased out at Roush Fenway), David Reutimann or Brian Vickers. [Team manager Jerry] Freeze said he expected the team's crewmembers and drivers to be settled by early January (#34-David Gilliland, #38-Travis Kvapil and #55-J.J. Yeley are not under contract for 2012). "It's such an unusual time to have a fairly good crop of drivers that are out there and available," Freeze said. "Not to mention the guys that drove for us last year."(USA Today)(11-29-2011)

Gilliland Racing for World Hunger Relief at Talladega: #34-David Gilliland will be driving for more than just points and pride this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. He'll be driving for World Hunger Relief, the annual hunger relief effort conducted by Yum! Brands. The logo and website of the campaign will adorn the hood and rear quarter panels of the #34 Ford Fusion for the Good Sam Club 500 race weekend. Gilliland and Front Row Motorsports are asking fans to donate a dollar to the cause - an amount that can provide four meals to hungry children at school. Fans can visit www.FromHungertoHope.com and click on the "Click to Donate" button under the red "$1" symbol or visit any participating Yum! Brand restaurant to donate in person. Yum! Brands is the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants, whose logos will also be on the #34 Ford at Talladega. Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins is a Yum! franchisee, operating 132 restaurants around the eastern part of the United States.(Front Row Motorsports / Breaking Limits)(10-20-2011)

Tastykakes on the #34 at Charlotte: David Gilliland has a lot cooking as he heads into the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Not only is he going to a track where he traditionally runs well, but he will also have a new paint scheme to introduce to NASCAR fans. Tastykake will be the primary sponsor on Gilliland's #34 Ford this weekend. With roots in Philadelphia, Tastykake dates back to 1914, but its unique cakes and fresh taste are still a hit today. The company offers Kandy Kakes, Krimpets, cupcakes, and pies, and recently has been expanding its tasty treats into new markets in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits), see an image of the car on the #34 team paint schemes page.(10-12-2011)

Ingersoll Rand to Sponsor Kvapil at Charlotte: Ingersoll Rand, a global leader in vehicle service tools, equipment and compressed air technology has announced a primary sponsorship in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Ingersoll Rand is proud to sponsor Front Row Motorsports' #55 Ford Fusion at the Bank of America 500 on October 15th 2011 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, as part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The car will be driven by 2003 Craftsman Truck Series Champion Travis Kvapil. "Ingersoll Rand has been in the pits for over 50 years with our legendary Thunder Gun Impactool," says Nate Schmid, Marketing Manager for Vehicle Services with Ingersoll Rand. "We are very proud to be returning to the track as a primary sponsor." The company is also an associate sponsor of the #34 Ford Fusion, driven by David Gilliland, 2004 NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series Rookie of the Year and son of NASCAR veteran Butch Gilliland. Both cars will be racing in the Bank of America 500 on Saturday, October 15th 2011 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.(Ingersoll Rand)(10-11-2011)

Gilliland Takes A&W Colors to Kansas: David Gilliland heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend with a completely clean slate. His #34 team will have a new paint scheme, new set-up and new ideas for approaching the mile-and-a-half, low-banked oval. Gilliland's Ford Fusion will sport the orange-and-brown colors of A&W All American Food for the second time this season. Crew chief Peter Sospenzo will also take a different set-up than the one the team used in the team's first visit to Kansas this season. Despite a tough-handling car, Gilliland was lined up for a potential top-25 finish at the June event when he ran out of gas late in the race and wound up finishing 33rd. The team also expects to benefit from input from Front Row Motorsports' third car, the #55 Ford of J.J. Yeley. The additional car has helped the team test out various set-ups each week, providing valuable information to teammates on both the #34 and #38 teams.(Breaking Limits/Front Row Motorsports)(10-7-2011)

Yeley / Kvapil swap rides at Atlanta: Front Row Motorsports' #38 Ford will have a different look at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, hitting the track with a new sponsor and a different driver. Front Row driver J.J. Yeley will take the wheel of the #38 Vampt Ford for Sunday's AdvoCare 500, introducing the NASCAR audience to Vampt malt beverages. Vampt Beverage Corp.'s initial product offering includes two agave-infused, ready-to-drink malt beverages - Vampt Smooth Talker and Vampt Midnight Warrior - available in select markets, including Atlanta this fall. The one-race deal has Yeley swapping rides with teammate Travis Kvapil, who will drive the #55 Front Row Motorsports Ford for the weekend.(FrontRowMotorsports / Breaking Limits)(8-31-2011)

Conway, Front Row settle lawsuits: Kevin Conway, his marketing company and sponsor Extenze have settled lawsuits with Front Row Motorsports with no money going to either side, Conway attorney Sam McGee said Wednesday. Front Row had sued for $3.6 million, including $2.754 million in sponsorship fees, it alleged was owed by Conway, Conway's company and Extenze for the 2010 season. Conway had also filed complaints against Front Row for about $340,000 in salary, purse money and rookie program money he alleged he was owed. A trial in the controversy was scheduled for this week in North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte, but after hearings for summary judgment, the sides settled, McGee said Wednesday. "These parties have all now washed their hands of each other and taking full dismissals [of the cases]," McGee said. "The parties have resolved the case in a way that the defendants were not paying money to Front Row. Neither is paying anything."(Scene Daily)(8-26-2011)

Fans on the hood of the #34 at Bristol: David Gilliland's #34 Ford Fusion has run a different look the last five races: a blank hood to show that Front Row Motorsports continues to look for sponsorship partners. But this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, the team will share that space with dozens of race fans. During Saturday's Irwin Tools Night race, the hood of Gilliland's Ford will sport the names of the fans who participated in a special Front Row Motorsports-themed ticket package offered by the speedway for the track's 50th anniversary. The package included a grandstand ticket, a race-day meet-and-greet with Gilliland and teammate Travis Kvapil, a Front Row/Bristol 50th Anniversary hat and the ticket holder's name on the #34 Ford for one of the most anticipated races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(8-24-2011)

Some drivers to drive "Honoring Our Heroes" schemes at RIR: Lionel NASCAR Collectables, in partnership with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, unveiled a multi-car, on-track program which pays tribute to the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 and helps raise funds to build homes for the only three surviving quadruple amputees of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan  United States Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, United States Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely and United States Marine Corps Corporal John Peck.
As part of the "Honoring Our Heroes" program, NASCAR stars Greg Biffle, David Gilliland, Jamie McMurray, Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart will drive special patriotic paint schemes which feature the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation logo during the September race weekend at Richmond International Raceway.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2001 by the family of Stephen Siller  an FDNY firefighter. Siller was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got the call about the attack on the World Trade Center. When he couldn't drive his truck through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Siller donned 75 pounds of firefighting gear and ran through the tunnel to the towers to help rescue his fellow Americans. Siller lost his life as a result of his heroic actions.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each "Honoring Our Heroes" die-cast and associated merchandise will be donated to The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation which has earmarked these funds for the construction of customized "smart" homes for wounded United States servicemen Marrocco, Nicely and Peck.
To bring even more attention to the Foundation's charitable efforts, David Gilliland will run the #34 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports on Sept. 10. Front Row Motorsports has donated Gilliland's entire paint scheme to honor the legacy of Stephen Siller and to help increase awareness of the Foundation's efforts to help the heroes of the U.S. military.
Danica Patrick will drive a special version of the #7 Go Daddy Get Your.Net Chevrolet for JR Motorsports during the Sept. 9 Nationwide Series race at Richmond. Patrick's car will feature a star-covered design and a black paint scheme. "Each star on the Go Daddy #7 Chevrolet represents a soul lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack," said Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons. "We will always remember 9/11. I'm glad to see NASCAR supporting this extraordinary tribute!"
During the Sprint Cup Series race on Sept. 10, Greg Biffle will drive the #16 3M Ford Fusion, Jamie McMurray will drive the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet and Tony Stewart will drive the #14 Office Depot Chevrolet  all in patriotic paint schemes.
Following the events at Richmond, Lionel NASCAR Collectables will take part in the 2011 Tunnel to Towers Run on Sept. 25. Tunnel to Towers is an annual run in Manhattan hosted by the Foundation in which thousands of runners and walkers retrace the steps of Stephen Siller, honor his legacy and remember the fallen of Sept. 11, 2001. This year for the first time, Tunnel to Towers Runs will be held in cities nationwide on 9/11 as a way to mark the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.(Lionel NASCAR Collectables), see images of the Cup schemes on the #1 Team Schemes page, #14 Team Schemes page, #16 Team Schemes page and #34 Team Schemes page.(5-27-2011)

Gander Mountain returns to sponsor Gilliland: For the second time in the 2011 race season, Gander Mountain announced that the outdoor retailer will be the primary sponsor of Front Row Motorsports' (FRM) Sprint Cup entry. The Gander Mountain #34 Ford Fusion will appear at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, April 30, piloted by David Gilliland. Gander Mountain returns as a racing sponsor for the third season due to the number of NASCAR fans who also enjoy hunting, fishing and camping, according to Steve Uline, Gander Mountain's executive vice president of marketing. "David Gilliland is an avid outdoorsman, as are many NASCAR fans," he said. "An appearance in this race and a chance to promote Gander Mountain's on-line firearms store on the #34 car fits perfectly with the number of avid hunters who will enjoy the action under the lights in Richmond." Gilliland drove the Gander Mountain car for the first time in 2011 at Texas on April 9.
Gander Mountain, with 116 stores in 23 states, is the nation's largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle apparel, products and services. The company offers thousands of products in its on-line store and now includes free standard shipping every day. In addition, the on-line site now offers a firearms department with a broad selection of ammunition, rifles, handguns, shotguns and accessories.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits) see an image of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(4-20-2011)

Gander Mountain to sponsor #34 at Texas: Gander Mountain announced that the outdoor retailer will be the primary sponsor of Front Row Motorsports' (FRM) #34 Sprint Cup Ford at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 9. The car will be piloted by veteran NASCAR driver David Gilliland. Gander Mountain returns as a racing sponsor for the third season due to the number of NASCAR fans who also enjoy hunting, fishing and camping, according to Steve Uline, Gander Mountain's executive vice president of marketing. "David Gilliland is an avid outdoorsman, as are many NASCAR fans," he said. "One of David's favorite pastimes outside of NASCAR is fishing. He understands Gander Mountain's 'We Live Outdoors' culture and is the perfect driver to help us take our message to race fans under the lights at Texas." Gander Mountain, with 116 stores in 23 states, is the nation's largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle apparel, products and services. The company offers thousands of products in its online store and now includes free standard shipping. In addition, the on line site now offers a firearms department with a broad selection of ammunition, rifles, handguns, shotguns, and accessories.(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits) see an image of the scheme on the #34 Team Schemes page.(3-29-2011)

Gunselman managing #37 team: From the Front Row Motorsports Facebook page, "The #37 car is now managed by Larry Gunselman in a partnership between Front Row Motorsports and Larry's Max Q Motorsports team. The team will have a more formal announcement coming with more information about plans moving forward."(3-25-2011)

Tmone returns to Front Row: TMone returns to Front Row Motosports this weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400. TMone, who first joined the team last weekend at Phoenix, will again be an associate sponsor on the #34 Taco Bell/TMone Ford of David Gilliland and also join the #38 Long John Silver's Ford of Travis Kvapil. TMone will be a co-primary for Front Row Motorsports at Bristol.(Breaking Limits), see an image on the #34 team paint schemes page.(2-4-2011)

Front Row honoring Wendell Scott: This weekend the #34 Ford will carry a decal honoring a driver who sported the same number several decades ago. NASCAR will honor trailblazer Wendell Scott - the first African-American to win a Sprint Cup race - this weekend at Las Vegas on the 50th anniversary of his first career start.(Breaking Limits)(3-3-2011)

Gilliland headed to the desert: After an emotional and action-filled month of February, David Gilliland is ready to unplug from the NASCAR world and go play in the sand. The driver of the #34 Taco Bell/TMone Ford for Front Row Motorsports will head to the sand dunes of Glamis, Calif., for a few days of relaxation and recreation before rejoining the Sprint Cup Series in Las Vegas, Nev., later this week. Gilliland is among a handful of NASCAR drivers who will escape this week for some downtime - and playtime - to the remote Southern California desert community of Glamis, where visitors ride four-wheelers and sand cars during the day and camp out at night. The native of nearby Riverside, Calif., spent more than 30 days in the dunes during the winter months of NASCAR's off-season. Gilliland will trade his Taco Bell/TMone Ford Fusion for his Yamaha YFZ450 all-terrain vehicle and Elite 4-Seat Off-Road Car for the next few days.(Breaking Limits)(3-1-2011)

Gilliland picks up Phoenix sponsor: TMone, headquarted in Iowa City, Iowa, will be highlighted on the quarter panels and the decklid of the #34 Taco Bell/TMone Ford for today's race. TMone is the most nimble Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in America. They provide Customer Relationship Management (CRM) & Customer Service Selling (CSS) for many Fortune 500 companies.(Breaking Limits)(2-27-2011)

Cheesehead Kvapil Is Super Bowl Bound UPDATE: Next week, Travis Kvapil will be pulling on his racing helmet at Daytona International Speedway, but this weekend he's headed to Texas with his cheesehead hat. The driver of the #34 Long John Silver's Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will attend Sunday's Super Bowl XLV in Arlington to cheer on his home-state team, the Green Bay Packers. "I've been a Packers fan my whole life," said the Janesville, Wisc., native. "Growing up in Wisconsin, you'd go to church on Sunday morning, then go home and watch the Packers game. When I was a kid, the Packers weren't really good, but I still cheered for them every weekend and they were still my favorite team." Kvapil's favorite memory as a Packer fan is going to Lambeau Field, Green Bay's historic football stadium, for the first time. "It's just such a unique place," described Kvapil. "It's not like other big-city football stadiums. It's in almost a residential neighborhood, so it's not what you might expect. When I walked in, I just felt like I was part of something special. I thought back to Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr and guys who won the first championships back in the 60s. To think they were in that same place where I was, it was pretty cool."(Breaking Limits)(2-4-2011)
UPDATE: Kevin Harvick is scheduled to appear on FOX's pre-game show between 2 and 4 pm/et live. Among the other NASCAR drivers planning to attend today's game are Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch and two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Todd Bodine.(SPEED)(2-6-2011)

Kvapil and Gilliland Return to Front Row in '11: Travis Kvapil and David Gilliland will be back behind the wheels of their Front Row Motorsports Fords for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The Statesville, N.C.-based team announced Friday that the veteran drivers will return for the organization's third full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series, with Kvapil racing the #34 Long John Silver's Ford and David Gilliland in the #38 Taco Bell Ford. The team plans to enter its third car, the #37 Ford, in select races during the 2011 season.
"I'm thrilled to have Travis and David back," said Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports. "We're going into our third season running full-time in Sprint Cup racing and we're really starting to build something here with these guys. Our drivers are back, (Taco Bell team crew chief) Peter Sospenzo is back, (general manager) Jerry Freeze is into his third season running the team for us. So, I'm really excited to keep building with this core group."
Front Row also made two important additions to further the team's growth and competitiveness on track. The team appointed Derrick Finley to the newly created position of competition director and named Bill Henderson crew chief of the #34 team. Finley is a degreed engineer who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Front Row. He has held leadership roles with some of the most storied teams in the sport's history, including Dale Earnhardt Inc., Bill Davis Racing and Petty Enterprises.
"I'm really excited to join Front Row and especially to be back working with Ford," said Finley. "It's ironic that I'll be back in the same shop where I cut my teeth in racing with (former NASCAR team owner) Travis Carter, and working again with the engineering staff at Ford Racing. Ford has a lot of great new tools and significant resources for their teams, and I can't wait to use them to help Front Row move up the grid."
New crew chief Henderson brings the #34 Long John Silver's team more than 12 years of experience in the NASCAR garage, most recently as general manager for Prism Motorsports and crew chief for the team's #66 entry. His racing resume also includes crew chief roles in the Nationwide Series with FitzBradshaw Racing and in the Sprint Cup Series with drivers Kyle Petty and Dave Blaney.
Sospenzo will be back atop the pit box of the #38 Taco Bell team, kicking off his third season with the Front Row organization. He was paired with Gilliland for the final 12 races of the 2010 season in what proved to be a successful driver-crew chief relationship that produced several strong runs on the track. The late-season boost sent the team into the off-season feeling optimistic they can return even stronger in 2011.
In addition to solidifying its team roster, Front Row Motorsports made some off-season advances in its equipment, setting the stage for improved performance in 2011. The team will begin using Ford's new FR9 engines, provided by Roush-Yates Racing Engines, and has upgraded its racing stable with the recent asset purchase of 34 racecars from Richard Petty Motorsports.
"I'm pretty excited for this year," continued Jenkins. "We've got the newer engine and upgraded our equipment, we've got our core people back and added some new talent, too. All the pieces are in place and we're ready to go."(Front Row Motorsports/Breaking Limits)(1-21-2011)

Richardson to run for Front Row in Daytona 500: Robert Richardson Jr. plans to run the Daytona 500 for Front Row Motorsports [likely the #37 team], just as he did last year for the team, when he finished 31st. Richardson also ran the other three restrictor plate races for FRM last year, with a best finish 23rd at Daytona in July. The Daytona 500 is the only Sprint Cup race he plans to run in 2011, with backing likely coming from longtime R3 sponsor Mahindra Tractors. His family owned team, #23 R3 Motorsports, which made a few 2010 attmepts currently has no plans to run in the Sprint Cup Series this year. R3 Motorsports does intend on running at least a full Nationwide Series schedule this year, but, Richardson says, no firm plans on a driver and sponsor lineup are in place. "Nothing has been finalized. We are still in search of partnerships with companies who are wanting to advertise in NASCAR," Richardson told WSB via email. "Walter Giles is listed as our crew chief. We have the capability to run two teams out of our stable. We have currently completed an adition to our shop to house a second team if necessary."(WSBRadio.com)(1-21-2011)

Front Row looking for a crew chief UPDATE: hearing Front Row Motorsports #34 crew chief Brian Burns has left the team, no word on who will replace Burns as Travis Kvapil's crew chief in 2011 but the team is supposedly looking for a crew chief. Hearing plans are to run Kvapil full time in the #34 Ford and David Gilliland full time in the #38 [using #37 owners points] with the #37 Ford being run part time [using #38 owners ppoints, which are not in the top 35 for the first 5 races].(12-20-2010)

Kvapil back to the Truck Series? NASCAR Insiders are hearing that Mike Skinner has been let go from Randy Moss Motorsports. This ends a two year relationship. Supposedly Travis Kvapil is the likely replacement for Skinner at RMM. Kvapil's last full season in the Truck Series was 2007 with Roush Fenway Racing. He spent 2010 driving for Front Row Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series (NASCAR Insiders)(12-18-2010)

Edwards wins with FR9 Engine, will run all races in 2011: Carl Edwards' Ford Fusion has been on an impressive winning streak, earning front row starting positions and capturing the win in the last two Nationwide Series races. Edward's also qualified on the pole during this week's Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway and swept the weekend by winning the Kobalt Tools 500. Edwards drives the #99 Aflac Ford Fusion powered by Roush Yates' new FR9 engine. The FR9 is the first Ford purpose-built race engine ever engineered and produced at Roush Yates Engines in Mooresville, NC. The new Ford engine has been integrated slowly into the Sprint Cup Series throughout the second half of the 2010 season with help from Roush Fenway Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports' cars racing the engine intermittently. It has been a remarkable learning period for the FR9, with a total of 5 poles and 3 wins, including Edwards' win this weekend that required both horsepower and efficient fuel mileage to beat Championship contenders Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin. "The new FR9 engine that Ford helped us with certainly was a factor today," said Jack Roush, owner of Roush Fenway Racing. "The fact that we were able to save gas and still have enough speed to maintain position on the race track was all very good. I'm thrilled to be in Victory Lane this weekend." Even though a Championship is out of reach for Ford this year, the FR9 engine has shown an impressive increase in performance and reliability throughout the second half of the 2010 Sprint Cup season. These improvements bring enthusiasm to the Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines camps, as they plan to run the FR9 in all Ford cars for the full 2011 Sprint Cup Season.
"I'm excited to be running the FR9 in all Fords for the entire 2011 Sprint Cup Season and soon to come for the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series," said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines. "Carl's win at Phoenix is just another testament to the power Roush Yates' FR9 engine is capable of. Everyone at the engine shop has been working hard to get this engine just right, and we are extremely proud of Roush Fenway Racing and their accomplishments with it this year. I look forward to watching the FR9 race at Ford Championship weekend next week at Homestead, as well as the 2011 Sprint Cup Season."(Roush Yates Engines)(11-15-2010)

Front Row to 2 cars? Kvapil returns in 2011: from an interview with driver Travis Kvapil:
Kvapil: For next year, we're going to up our goals. It looks like we'll have some better equipment and a better gameplan for next year. We probably won't have three teams. I'm not 100% sure on that, but it looks like we'll be able to focus our attention on two cars, two teams, and that should make us better.
Q) How much of a difference will a two-car shift make?
Kvapil: That's part of what I'm talking about [that] I don't think people understand. Going from Texas to Phoenix after the race, we have to pull ballast, lead, out of these cars for our Phoenix cars. We just don't have enough stuff. We have to pull sway bar arms, springs  we just don't have the components to really be prepared. Hopefully downsizing would be able to help that. We've got three cars on the track right now. We downsize to two, that frees up a lot of equipment and components to where it'd be easier to be better prepared.(Frontstretch)(11-11-2010)