Todd Gilliland Extends Stay with Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports confirmed this week that Todd Gilliland will continue piloting the No. 34 Ford for the organization through the 2027 season. The contract extension builds on a partnership that began in 2020, when the 26‑year‑old first joined the team’s developmental program. Executives praised Gilliland’s consistency and his ability to provide valuable feedback as the team seeks to climb the competitive ladder in the Cup Series.
Gilliland’s trajectory has been marked by steady improvement. He earned his first Truck Series victory with his father David Gilliland’s Tricon Garage squad and later captured a win in 2019 driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. After two seasons in the Truck ranks, where he made the playoffs both years, he transitioned to the Cup Series in 2022, notching a pair of top‑10 finishes, including a fourth‑place result at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A Career Defined by Incremental Growth
The driver’s breakout came in 2023, when he posted a personal‑best 20.8 average finish and recorded five top‑10 finishes across two organizations. That season also saw him secure a win in the Truck Series with his father’s team, a milestone that highlighted his ability to translate family heritage into on‑track success. The following year, Gilliland achieved a career‑best 22nd place in series points and added four more top‑10 finishes, underscoring his upward trajectory.
Recent performances have reinforced the optimism surrounding his future. Through 20 races in the current campaign, he sits 24th in points, 93 markers above the provisional Chase cutline, and his best finish to date — a sixth‑place result at Bristol Motor Speedway — demonstrates his capacity to contend on short tracks. He is also slated to compete in the semifinal Round 4 of the In‑Season Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway, a venue where he hopes to translate his strong average finish into a victory.
Family Legacy and New Crew Leadership
Gilliland’s professional path has been shaped by his father, former NASCAR driver and Truck Series team owner David Gilliland, whose mentorship has been instrumental in navigating the sport’s complexities. The driver’s recent move to the flagship No. 34 entry follows Michael McDowell’s departure, positioning him alongside crew chief Chris Lawson, whose technical expertise is expected to accelerate the car’s development. This partnership reflects a strategic blend of heritage and fresh engineering direction.
Looking ahead, Gilliland remains focused on leveraging his experience and the resources of Front Row Motorsports to break into the playoff conversation. The team’s technical alliance with Spire Motorsports, Rick Ware Racing, and other partners provides a robust support network, while his ties to Tricon Garage and Kyle Busch Motorsports continue to offer valuable insights. As the 2027 season approaches, the driver’s blend of familial legacy, proven resilience, and evolving skill set positions him as a compelling contender for future successes.