Front Row Motorsports faces a pivotal 2026 Cup Series season as the team aims to break a two-year absence from the NASCAR postseason after a period of major changes. This Front Row Motorsports 2026 preview assesses their prospects, emphasizing roster continuity and steady improvement as keys to a potential resurgence.
Team Stability and Evolving Lineup Bring New Optimism
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will take on the new season with their familiar Ford vehicles, powered by Roush Yates Engines, and the same trio of full-time drivers: Noah Gragson in the No. 4 car, Todd Gilliland piloting the No. 34, and Zane Smith behind the wheel of the No. 38. The organization expanded to three cars last year, welcoming newcomers Gragson and Smith to join incumbent Gilliland. Although this expansion led to mixed results—yielding three top-five finishes, distributed evenly across the roster—the team has held on to its core. The hope is that improved understanding and teamwork will help them make a stronger push for the Cup Series playoffs after two challenging years.
Noah Gragson Seeks Redemption with New Crew Chief
Noah Gragson returns for his second season as the No. 4 Ford’s driver, but he will team up with a new crew chief, Grant Hutchens, a long-time race engineer stepping up to the leadership role. Gragson’s 2025 campaign ended with a 34th-place standing in the rankings—his season highlighted by a strong fourth-place finish at Talladega, but also hindered by eight crash-related DNFs and an overall struggle to finish races on the lead lap, doing so only 16 times. Establishing chemistry between Gragson and Hutchens will be instrumental in building race consistency and seizing any early momentum, especially on superspeedways, which have proven favorable for Gragson. The fresh partnership is an opportunity to set a stronger foundation for better results and reliability for the driver and his crew.
Todd Gilliland Steps Up as Veteran Leader
Todd Gilliland, although just 25 years old, emerges as the most experienced member of the Front Row lineup as he enters his fifth full-time Cup season. Last year saw Gilliland record a personal best average finish of 20.8, and he nearly secured a win with a career-high second place at Talladega in October. However, his season also had setbacks; he dropped five places in the standings and experienced a steep decline in laps led compared to his previous year. Assuming a leadership role in 2026, Gilliland’s performance and composure will be vital for motivating the team and setting the tone for consistent results as Front Row Motorsports pursues a return to relevance.
Zane Smith Targets Steady Gains and Greater Impact
Zane Smith continues to build his Cup Series reputation. He claimed his first pole position at Talladega last season and put up a strong third-place run at Bristol, with additional top-10 finishes at Phoenix, Michigan, and Atlanta. Smith, who delivered a Craftsman Truck Series championship for Front Row in 2022, showcased potential flashes in 2025, but admits improvements are needed. The team will look to leverage his versatility and previous successes as Smith and crew chief Ryan Bergenty sharpen their focus for more consistent, high-level performances across different tracks.
What’s at Stake for Front Row Motorsports?
With their roster largely intact, new crew chief assignments, and stability in their manufacturer and engine partnerships, Front Row Motorsports enters 2026 eager to turn incremental progress into substantial gains. The combination of familiar faces—Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, and Zane Smith—and new talent at the crew chief position underscores their strategy of building lasting chemistry. Whether this approach can propel them back into the postseason will depend on each driver’s ability to evolve and on the team’s resolve to end their two-year slump.
