As the charter agreement signed in 2016 watches its end loom, the faults are already visible. Race teams entirely rely on race trophies and front-row runs to consolidate their charters, or else, they lie at risk of getting their charters confiscated by NASCAR. Hence, after veteran drivers left Tony Stewart’s fold in 2023, his team also began crumbling.

Two days ago, Stewart-Haas Racing announced a painful decision. After making its debut in 2009, the team is finally ready to bid adieu to racing at the end of 2024. Now its available charters have stirred other teams into motion, although their condition may also be bleak.

Front Row Motorsports head ponders over Tony Stewart’s vacant slots

In addition to the charter system woes, monetary crunches also grip the Cup teams. After NASCAR signed the seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal a few months ago, it would be surprising that the teams are still struggling. But given that NASCAR is owned by a private family, unlike the national leagues of the NFL or NBA, things are more complicated. Even Hendrick Motorsports, the Cup Series’ top-performing team presently, claimed that they have not made a profit in several years.

Thus, underdog teams like Front Row Motorsports are bound to be in a worse place. But is it true, or are they just comparing themselves to other motorsports? After Tony Stewart announced that he was shuttering his team, opportunities opened up both in terms of charters and drivers. FRM simultaneously announced expanding its two-car team to three cars. But recently, the team’s general manager admitted to a lack of any grand plan, as they went with the flow.

Jerry Freeze spoke to Sirius XM NASCAR: “We weren’t necessarily sitting back here just on the drawing board, ‘Hey, it’s time for a third team let’s go find a charter.’ We got wind that there might be opportunity out there, got involved, and started talking about how it could all work and how we would do it.” 

With SHR’s imminent demise, Tony Stewart’s drivers are on the lookout for new team entries. Josh Berry and Noah Gragson in particular have performed exceptionally well in recent races. Hence, Michael McDowell, who brought two of the four FRM victories, will make way for good talent when he vacates his spot. Freeze said, “Again, when one door closes another door opens.” 

Freeze also added how Tony Stewart’s studs can add value to his team. “There’s a lot of talent in our people…We will have some really good ones on the front row. Again we’re just trying to race at the talent level across the board…We could really afford to take on several more and improve hopefully anything, on track and off track.”

As the No. 34 Ford car prepares to be empty, the No. 34 car still strives for success on the field, and FRM officials are glad about the progress.

FRM’s younger driver is looking for his mojo

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With a long list of victories in the ARCA Menards Series, Todd Gilliland’s transition to NASCAR has been bumpy. He holds three Craftsman Truck Series victories and no Cup wins since he entered FRM’s fold in 2022. Besides a lone 8th-place finish in Talladega, Gilliland mostly clinched some top-20 places this season. However, as his FRM contract inches towards closure this year, his employer is still confident in his progress.

Jerry Freeze is optimistic about Gilliland, even as Tony Stewart’s excelling drivers may become his teammates. “I feel good about where we’re at with Todd and the future with Todd. We’re really, really, really happy with the progression he’s made this year. His speed on the racetrack is much improved and we’re really happy with the job he’s doing.”

Todd Gilliland himself also professed a hardworking mindset. “We’re definitely trying to work towards that. I’d say that’s probably the extent I can say, but, yeah, that’s definitely what we’re working towards.”

Let us see how far Front Row’s plans stretch out as they grapple with filling their two new car entries.