NASCAR: 5 teams that still need drivers for 2022

NASCAR teams that still need drivers: No. 5 – Front Row Motorsports

UPDATE: Todd Gilliland is indeed set to drive the #38 Ford in 2022.

Front Row Motorsports are generally not considered a frontrunning team in the NASCAR Cup Series, but as of now, they may very well have the most desirable 100% open seat in the 2022 driver lineup.

Michael McDowell is set to return behind the wheel of the #34 Ford after a career year which saw him win the Daytona 500 and qualify for the playoffs for the first time, giving the Bob Jenkins-owned team their first playoff berth since 2016 with Chris Buescher after he scored an upset victory in a rain-shortened race at Pocono Raceway.

But the team have confirmed the departure of Anthony Alfredo, who competed full-time behind the wheel of the #38 Ford as a rookie in 2021.

There were initially talks about Front Row Motorsports potentially selling one of their two charters to 23XI Racing for the 2022 season, and at one point, multiple sources described it as a “done deal”. However, this deal ultimately fell through, and 23XI Racing ended up buying a second charter from StarCom Racing instead.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Front Row Motorsports would continue to operate as a two-car team with two charters in 2022, meaning that the #38 Ford is indeed in need of a new driver.

Todd Gilliland, who competed for the team in the Truck Series in 2020 and 2021, has been named as the top potential replacement candidate for Alfredo.

So which drivers will be signed by these teams for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, which is scheduled to begin with the 64th annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 20 (2:30 p.m. ET, Fox)? While the bulk of silly season may be in the past, things are by no means set for next year quite yet.