“He’s Earned That”: NASCAR Fandom Rejoices as Cup Series Underdog Seals His Future in Top Flight

NASCAR’s Silly Season spun off with a Front Row Motorsports piece of news. Veteran fixture Michael McDowell announced that he will pack his bags at FRM at the end of 2024. Consequently, this sent off a whirlwind of speculation about the team’s vacant spots. But before deciding on new drivers, the team first addressed its existing employee status.

Todd Gilliland began his Cup journey in 2022, and this season marked his first stint at FRM. Now as the team faces an upheaval, it further sealed the underdog driver’s position for the near future.

FRM paves a solid career path for rising NASCAR star

In 2006, David Gilliland surprised fans by pulling off an Xfinity victory in Kentucky. That cemented his status as a good racer. Almost two decades later, his son Todd is following in his footsteps. Holding three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins, he notched seven top-ten finishes in 87 starts at the Cup level. Competing in his third year, Todd Gilliland is prepared for more glory. 

After Stewart-Haas Racing announced its exit at the end of 2024, FRM was the first to purchase one of its charters. But before tending to new faces, the team decided to go the extra mile with its existing driver. Bob Pockrass updated the situation on X. “Todd Gilliland has signed a contract extension to remain at Front Row Motorsports. Multiyear. Car number TBA. Also TBA on the other two FRM drivers for 2025.”

Gilliland joined FRM as a NASCAR Cup Rookie in 2022 and looks forward to his future in the #38 Ford. He thanked team owner Bob Jenkins and general manager Jerry Freeze as well in a press release. “I want to be at Front Row Motorsports, and I want to be a part of what’s happening right now…It’s really cool to see it all happening, and I have to thank Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze for their commitment in taking the steps to make us a consistent winning and playoff organization…I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

He led a career-high 101 laps this season with a lone top-ten finish in Talladega. Thus Todd Gilliland earned his team owner’s respect. Jenkins expressed how Gilliland matured in his team. “Todd (Gilliland) and his family have been with my family and the team for a very long time. We’ve watched him grow, mature, and show all his potential behind our truck and car. It’s now his time to lead us into our next phase of winning races and being a consistent playoff contender,” he said.

As FRM grants Todd Gilliland his promotion, the NASCAR world is also happy. Fans heaped praises on the North Carolina native for his achievement.

Gilliland’s upgrade enthralls fans

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Todd Gilliland overpowered a lot of difficulties to reach his Cup career. He carved out a steady path to progress through Kyle Busch Motorsports and FRM. In his rookie Cup year, Gilliland got into a Daytona accident. Considering all this, a fan saluted his resilience, saying, “I’ve rooted for him ever since getting wrecked out of a win in his early KBM days. He’s overcome all of that.” 

Gilliland jumped from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to the Cup level in 2022, after securing his first top-five finish at the Indianapolis road course. Hence one fan hailed his tough work till this point. “Raced his ass out of the hot seat. Love to see it and hope he only continues to improve!” Another fan was simply happy to see him cement his status as a Cup driver. “Congrats to Todd. He’s earned that.” 

Other fans observed that FRM changed its usual policy. Michael McDowell and others had all raced on one-year contracts, but FRM made an exception with Gilliland. “Interesting that they locked Gilliland up but kept offering McDowell 1 year deals.” Another fan suspected that the team was rewarding Gilliland’s hard work. “Gilliland getting a multi-year from notoriously single-year contract team FRM is a pretty good indicator that they really like him over there IMO.”

Hence, all in all, Todd Gilliland can bid adieu to his underdog status with a secure full-time seat in the Cup Series.