Todd Gilliland will drive for a new team in 2020, Front Row Motorsports.
The organization announced on Monday that they will field a NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series team with Gilliland for the full 23-race schedule beginning with next month’s season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 14, 2020.
“I’m really looking forward to racing an F-150 in the Truck Series this year with Front Row Motorsports as part of the Ford family,” said Gilliland.
“I’ve been around (team owner) Bob Jenkins and the whole Front Row crew for a long time growing up with my dad racing for them. The talent that they’ve brought in for my program is really exciting. I know or have worked with almost every person that’s on my team this year at some point in my career. That helps tremendously in building relationships and trust with each other.”
Front Row has formed an alliance with Mooresville, N.C.-based DGR-Crosley for the effort. David Gilliland is the co-owner of DGR, whose operation switched from Toyota to Ford in December.
A Front Row Motorsports spokesperson said the team will be housed at both Front Row Motorsports’ Mooresville, N.C.-shop and DGR-Crosley, but mainly out of DGR-Crosley.
Gilliland, 19, will drive the No. 38 Ford F-150, a number significant to the Gilliland family, as father David piloted the same number throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career at Yates Racing and Front Row Motorsports, but the story doesn’t end there. David’s father, Butch Gilliland, also raced the No. 38 winning a Championship in the ARCA Menards Series West in 1997; three years before Gilliland was born.
“Numbers are important to a driver because they are essentially your identity when you’re on track. It’s cool to think about a Gilliland being back in the No. 38, and I’m really proud to be able to drive the same number that my dad and grandpa did.”
Jenkins said he is excited about the expansion of his operation.
“We’re all very excited for this expansion,” said Jenkins. “I’ve watched Todd grow up in this sport and have seen the talent he brings firsthand. Not only does he come from a racing family, but he’s got the natural ability of a winning driver. I’m confident that having him drive in our debut season will be a great success.”
Former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Jonathan Leonard will serve as crew chief. Leonard brings significant knowledge and experience to the newly formed team. He served as an interim crew chief for Levine Family Racing for several months before moving back into an engineering role at Richard Childress Racing last season.
Gilliland will also have veteran NASCAR Cup Series spotter Coleman Pressley guiding him from the spotter stand.
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