Front Row Motorsports (FRM) heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the sixth event of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, aiming to boost their position in a hotly contested season. The race, scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 4:00 PM ET on FS1, promises 267 laps of intense competition, with drivers Noah Gragson, Zane Smith, and Todd Gilliland each seeking strong results at one of NASCAR’s fastest 1.5-mile tracks. This Front Row Motorsports NASCAR preview highlights the team’s preparation, standout performers, sponsor activations, and the significance of the event for fans and partners alike.
A Look at Current Standings
Entering Las Vegas, the FRM drivers sit mid-pack in the overall NASCAR Cup Series standings. Zane Smith currently holds the 19th spot, while Noah Gragson and Todd Gilliland trail in 25th and 26th positions, respectively. With over 30 races left in the season, every opportunity to climb the leaderboard matters—especially on intermediate tracks where teams often reveal their true pace.
Noah Gragson Returns to His Home Track
For Noah Gragson, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is more than just another stop on the schedule; it’s home turf. The Las Vegas native has demonstrated considerable skill at this circuit, earning seven top-five results in eight O’Reilly Auto Part Series appearances. In Cup Series competition, Gragson’s highlight came in March 2024 when he surged from a 30th starting position to finish sixth, showing both tenacity and home-track advantage.
This weekend, Gragson will showcase a fresh sponsorship with Curate featured on his No. 4 car. Curate, which develops next-generation restaurant applications, views NASCAR as the ideal setting to emphasize values like speed, teamwork, and innovation. Curate’s connection with Gragson reflects their mutual drive, relentless pursuit of improvement, and a nod to the new wave of digital engagement sweeping through the restaurant and racing industries.
“This sponsorship is an exciting opportunity for Curate to tell our story on a national stage alongside Noah Gragson and an incredible partner like Ike’s Love & Sandwiches,”
said Grant Russell, CEO and Co-Founder of Curate.
“Our platform helps restaurant brands build stronger direct relationships with their customers, and we see this partnership as a natural extension of the energy, ambition, and forward momentum that define our brand.”
— Grant Russell, CEO and Co-Founder of Curate.
This collaboration also spotlights Ike’s Love & Sandwiches—a brand recognized for naming sandwiches after local personalities and athletes, celebrating culture and community. Ike’s, rooted in campuses like Stanford where Curate’s founders studied, now operates three locations in Nevada, including one near the speedway, deepening the weekend’s hometown flavor.
“Last week was rough, from start to finish, but we’ll put it behind us and get ready for this weekend,”
said Noah Gragson.
“I’m excited to get back to Las Vegas and spend some time with family and friends before racing in front of the hometown crowd on Sunday, with a new partner to the sport on board, Curate. We had a strong run there, in the fall, and I feel like we can repeat that this weekend to get ourselves back on track before returning to the east coast.”
— Noah Gragson, Driver.
Supporting Gragson is a highly skilled crew led by Crew Chief Grant Hutchens from Omaha, car chief Joey Forgette from Iron Mountain, and engineers Dillon Silverman and Scott Bingham—all aligning efforts for a strong homecoming performance.
Todd Gilliland Seeks to Build on Recent Momentum
Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 team ride into Las Vegas after an encouraging 12th place finish at Phoenix Raceway, eager to capitalize on that success. Gilliland’s record at Las Vegas includes four top-10 finishes in seven NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts, pointing to comfort and potential at this unique track.
The team once again welcomes Love’s Travel Stops as its primary partner. Love’s encourages fans to take advantage of the Love’s Connect App, which was just updated to introduce a unified rewards program offering fuel savings and mobile deals. The new program aims to reward every customer—whether on long hauls or quick pit stops—with valuable savings and a streamlined shopping experience at all Love’s locations.
“Vegas has always been a challenging track for me, but I really like the direction the team is heading after Phoenix,”
said Todd Gilliland.
Gilliland emphasizes that this stage of the season is crucial, with more races on similar mile-and-a-half tracks, making qualifying and momentum increasingly vital. The support staff around Gilliland includes Crew Chief Chris Lawson, engineers Marc Rullo and Kevyn Rebolledo, and a dedicated pit and road crew ensuring the No. 34 car is ready for every challenge Las Vegas presents.
Zane Smith Eyes Redemption at Las Vegas
Zane Smith continues the West Coast Swing into Las Vegas, aiming to rebound from a tough outing at Phoenix. Smith boasts five top-10 finishes at Las Vegas in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, highlighting his potential to adapt quickly and find speed on the 1.5-mile layout.
This weekend also marks the launch of Aaron’s Fastlane 5000 Sweepstakes, where fans have the opportunity to win prizes, including a $5,000 home upgrade. Aaron’s, which operates nearly 1,200 stores across North America, utilizes this connected sponsorship to engage attendees and fans online, enhancing the race experience far beyond the speedway itself.
“Phoenix was disappointing, but it’s a long season and each weekend presents a new opportunity to score some points and even a win,”
said Zane Smith.
Smith describes his relationship with Las Vegas as a “love / hate” scenario, pointing out notable Truck Series success but less satisfaction so far in Cup competition. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic that the team’s progress will result in a positive weekend and a valuable points haul.
Smith’s efforts are coordinated by Crew Chief Ryan Bergenty, engineers Jacob Clamme and Chris Yerges, and a strong group of pit crew professionals aiming to orchestrate a turnaround and deliver a memorable finish for FRM.
Sponsor Synergy and Community Connections
This race weekend underscores the deep relationship between FRM, its drivers, and a lineup of innovative business partners. Curate, Love’s Travel Stops, and Aaron’s each represent industry leaders using NASCAR to expand brand awareness, connect with customers, and support their communities. Curate’s engagement through technology, Love’s focus on customer loyalty, and Aaron’s sweepstakes initiative all contribute to a fan-centric event that reaches audiences both inside and outside the grandstands.
These sponsors not only back the drivers but also reflect the spirit of teamwork, endurance, and adaptation that defines both NASCAR and modern business landscapes.
Meet the Teams Behind the Wheel
Each FRM entry will be supported by tight-knit teams of drivers, crew chiefs, engineers, mechanics, and pit specialists hailing from across the country. Noah Gragson’s group brings expertise from states like Nebraska, Michigan, California, Georgia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Todd Gilliland’s team counts members from North Carolina, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond, including interior specialist Ethan Deguevara from Las Vegas. Zane Smith’s crew draws talent from Indiana, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Florida, exemplifying the collective effort required for high performance in NASCAR’s top tier.
Front Row Motorsports: A Winning Organization
Founded by Bob Jenkins in 2004, Front Row Motorsports has built a legacy of achievement and perseverance, highlighted by victories such as the 2021 Daytona 500 and the 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship. Operating out of Mooresville, North Carolina, FRM fields multiple entries across both major NASCAR series, earning respect and attention for their tenacity and ability to compete with larger, better-funded organizations.
FRM’s story is one of gradual growth, strategic partnership, and a dedication to providing opportunities for emerging talents like Gragson, Gilliland, and Smith to thrive on the biggest stages in American motorsports.
The Importance of the Las Vegas Race and What Lies Ahead
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway 400 is a crucial inflection point for FRM’s season. A strong showing can set the tone for the upcoming series of intermediate-track events and give momentum to the organization as the championship battle intensifies. With sponsorships activating new fan experiences and drivers eager to prove themselves on home soil, Sunday’s race offers a combination of regional pride, national exposure, and strategic opportunity for everyone involved.
Fans tuning in will witness not just a shot at redemption for Smith, a homecoming for Gragson, or a confidence-building run for Gilliland, but also a showcase of teamwork, innovation, and the drive to succeed at every level. As Front Row Motorsports continues its upward climb, Las Vegas could well be the weekend where preparation, partnership, and perseverance pay dividends on the road to NASCAR Cup Series glory.
