Strong Weekend In Daytona For Gilly:
It’s been four years since David Gilliland has had a reason to smile leaving Daytona International Speedway in February.
The likable, personable driver for Front Row Motorsports earned a solid 11th place finish in Sunday’s Daytona 500. While Gilliland has had better showings in the season-opener in the past,
his showing on Sunday was his best effort in the 500 since an incredible third place finish in 2011.
While Front Row Motorsports took the chance on adding a third car to their stables, the lack of performances didn’t suffer. At least on superspeedways. True, as long as you have a car nestled in tight amongst the lead draft odds are you’re going to be in tip-top shape, but Gilliland still has had to overcome diversity, even on Sunday.
After starting 26th, Gilliland was challenged by handling issues, but through his normal poise and even a late race scare of a vibration, Gilliland found himself in the lead draft and hunt
when the white flag flew.
Despite a controversial call to throw the caution as the cars screamed down the backstretch, Gilliland was able to take a breath and digest his best finish in Sprint Cup Series competition since a 17th place run at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June 2014.
“I’m very proud of our effort with our Love’s Travel Stops Ford Fusion,” said Gilliland.
“Working with Donnie Wingo was a lot of fun today. I think we learned a lot throughout the race and he kept working on the car to where I felt like it needed to drive for us at the end of the race and we got it really good and were able to get up there and dice it out. I felt like it was really good. I’m really proud of the Front Row Motorsports team effort today. All three of our cars are in one piece, which I don’t think that’s ever happened. I’m proud of that and proud of our effort today.”
As how to describe the nail-biting three wide racing, row after row after row, the final 30 laps of the race, Gilliland was quick to respond.
“Your teeth are gritted, you’re just hanging on to the wheel and it’s intense, but a lot of fun,” added Gilliland. “I enjoy it and I thought it was great racing, a clean race. There weren’t a lot of accidents and everybody raced really hard, so I hope the fans enjoyed it.”
The Riverside, California native also finished sixth in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener for Ricky Benton Racing.
Front Row Motorsports Teammates David Ragan and Cole Whitt finished 17th and 22nd respectively.
