NASCAR driver lands new deal after losing full-time ride

Todd Gilliland lost his full-time ride with Front Row Motorsports before the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, but he has already expanded his schedule.

Todd Gilliland was set to return to Front Row Motorsports for a second year behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. He is still set to do so, but he will not be the full-time driver of that car this year.

It was announced last summer that Zane Smith, who competes for the Front Row Motorsports Truck Series team and won last year’s series title, would make select starts with the Bob Jenkins-owned organization throughout the 2023 Cup Series season. He is also still competing full-time in the Truck Series for the team.

At that time, it was assumed that he would drive a third car, like he is set to do if he manages to qualify for the Daytona 500. However, Smith is set to drive the No. 38 Ford in six races on the 36-race 2023 schedule, reducing Gilliland’s schedule to just 30 races after he expected to be in the car for all 36 events.

However, Todd Gilliland has already landed a new deal for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Smith is set to drive the No. 38 Ford at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 12; Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 23; Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28; Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 11; Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 24; and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on Sunday, October 8.

Gilliland has landed a ride with Rick Ware Racing as the driver of the No. 15 Ford for five of those six races. He is set to drive the team’s second entry at Phoenix Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

As of now, the Daytona 500 is the only race on the 2023 schedule in which Front Row Motorsports have entered three cars. Smith can solidify his No. 36 Ford as a part of the 40-car field in tonight’s Bluegreen Vacations Duels.

The only way he doesn’t get into the main event is if Kaulig Racing’s Chandler Smith beats both him and Legacy Motor Club’s Jimmie Johnson in the first Duel and 23XI Racing’s Travis Pastrana fails to finish ahead of both Beard Motorsports’ Austin Hill and The Money Team Racing’s Conor Day in the second Duel. All other scenarios result in Zane Smith getting in.

In that case, Chandler Smith and either Hill or Daly would lock in thanks to their Duel results, while Johnson and Pastrana would be able to fall back on their qualifying speeds from Wednesday night.

Gilliland is locked into the race, as the No. 38 Ford is a chartered entry. He is set to start the second Duel in 17th place after posting the 34th quickest qualifying speed on Wednesday night.