For years, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) flew under the radar, known more for occasional surprise wins than sustained success. But 2025 might be the year FRM finally steps out of the shadows and establishes itself as a legitimate challenger to NASCAR’s elite.
With a revamped three-car lineup, a clear growth strategy, and a bold legal stance against NASCAR, FRM is making serious waves in the Cup Series.
The Rise of NASCAR’s Next Contenders
For over a decade, Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and Joe Gibbs Racing have ruled NASCAR, leaving smaller teams struggling to catch up. But that narrative is shifting, with teams like Trackhouse Racing, Spire Motorsports, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports gaining traction.
Among them, FRM has quietly been making the biggest moves, adding a third Cup Series entry for 2025 and solidifying itself as a mid-pack powerhouse with aspirations of breaking into the sport’s upper tier.
From Underdogs to Contenders: The FRM Evolution
- 2013: David Ragan wins at Talladega, putting FRM on the map.
- 2016: Chris Buescher grabs a surprise Pocono victory.
- 2021: Michael McDowell stuns the field, winning the Daytona 500.
- 2023: McDowell finishes P15 in points, FRM’s best season yet.
- 2024: McDowell wins six poles, proving FRM can produce fast cars.
While 2024 saw a drop to P23 in the standings, the speed was there—the challenge now is turning it into consistent front-running performances.
New Blood, Bigger Ambitions
With Michael McDowell moving to Spire Motorsports, FRM restructured its driver lineup, bringing in Noah Gragson and Zane Smith alongside Todd Gilliland.
- Noah Gragson: A 13-time Xfinity Series winner with raw talent and aggressive racing style.
- Zane Smith: The 2022 Truck Series champion, who has always performed well for FRM.
- Todd Gilliland: The team’s most familiar face, looking to build on his Cup Series experience.
This trio represents a new era for FRM—one that aims to compete consistently with the likes of RFK Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and 23XI Racing.
Crew Chief Speaks Out: FRM is Going for More
Drew Blickensderfer, Gragson’s new crew chief, recently revealed just how aggressive FRM’s mindset has become:
“Front Row’s overall look at the race track is getting elevated. Their team presence, all of that, is trying to compete with some of those teams—RFK, 23XI, RCR. We think we can compete with them on the race tracks, and they’ve shown lately that they can.”
FRM isn’t just trying to stay competitive—they’re actively chasing the teams just below NASCAR’s Big Three, aiming to establish themselves as a permanent fixture in the top half of the Cup Series grid.
The Bob Jenkins Factor: A Gutsy Team Owner Willing to Fight NASCAR
One of the biggest power moves FRM made this offseason wasn’t on the track—but in the courtroom.
When NASCAR introduced its new charter agreement, nearly every veteran team signed on without protest. But not Bob Jenkins, the man behind FRM.
Instead, he joined forces with 23XI Racing in an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR, challenging the league’s charter system and business model. And it’s already paying off—a preliminary injunction was granted, securing FRM’s charter status while they continue to fight the lawsuit.
Jenkins’ willingness to take risks and push boundaries is exactly why FRM is growing at such a rapid pace.
What’s Next? The 2025 Outlook for FRM
With three full-time Cup cars and two Truck Series teams, FRM is expanding in all directions. Blickensderfer made it clear:
“That’s just going to bring in more money in the building. Keep growing the place. Two Truck teams, three Cup cars—I mean, this place is growing, and it’s fun to be a part of.”
The biggest question now is: Can FRM translate this momentum into consistent top-10 and top-5 finishes?
If they can, they might finally break through NASCAR’s glass ceiling, joining Trackhouse, 23XI, and RFK as the sport’s rising forces.
