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Front Row Motorsports announced an expansion for 2025 earlier this season. However, new information about the team’s new Charter is bringing its future back into question. So, what are these latest developments, and who would drive this car?
The 46-page lawsuit jointly filed between FRM and 23XI contains many nuggets of information not only about the 2025 NASCAR Charter Agreement but also about the two teams’ future expansion.
First, we learned that 23XI, the third rumored candidate for expansion in light of SHR’s closure, had, in fact, agreed to purchase the last available Charter from SHR on Aug. 7. However, NASCAR has yet to approve the purchase, leaving the sale up in the air.
The future of this Charter is up in the air until there is an announcement about an injunction filed by FRM/23XI’s lawyer. This injunction would allow the two to race under the 2025 Agreement and, presumably, expand to three cars. The aspect of expansion is noteworthy, as page 12 of the lawsuit revealed that FRM does not own its third Charter yet, as it also requires NASCAR’s approval.
“In May 2024, Front Row purchased a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, but the transaction is in escrow and requires approval from NASCAR. In the interim, Stewart-Haas Racing, LLC signed NASCAR’s 2025 Charter Agreement.”
There are a lot of moving parts for this expansion to happen. First, there is no sign that if the injunction is approved, the teams will have their purchases approved. Second, the teams have to hire staff and buy equipment. Third and most importantly, they need to find a driver.
Assessing FRM’s current lineup, we see that they have two young drivers with a lot of talent. Todd Gilliland is returning to his No. 38 next year after showing more speed this year than in the past few seasons.
Sadly, veteran Michael McDowell is leaving FRM for a more promising contract at Spire Motorsports. However, Noah Gragson is replacing FRM’s winningest driver. Yet, rumors suggest this is not the case in No. 34, but perhaps the newly expanded car.
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When assessing NASCAR’s shrinking free-agent market, there is some hope for FRM. Several names left are current members of the Ford camp.
Ryan Preece is one of these drivers. Preece has not had a great second stint in the NASCAR Cup Series with SHR. However, rumors suggest that Preece is heading to a potentially expanding RFK Racing. These rumors surround the idea that Preece has yet to reach its full potential at the Cup Series level.
Riley Herbst is another option. Herbst will be out of his Xfinity Seris ride at SHR at the end of this year. The team, rebranded to the Haas Factory Team, has already signed Sam Mayer to replace Herbst next year. Nevertheless, and despite a history with FRM, Herbst is the leading candidate for 23XI’s third car.
Fortunately, Zane Smith looks like the clear front-runner at FRM. Smith once was FRM’s top prospect before jumping ship to Trackhouse for this season. This deal was in association with Spire Motorsports with hopes of Smith getting called up to Trackhouse in the near future.
This season has been disappointing, with Trackhouse releasing Smith not even one season into their multi-year deal. When that happened, many expected Smith to return to FRM. However, Kevin Harvick suggested that a drama between Smith and Ford could keep him out.
However, multiple sources point to Smith and FRM reuniting in 2025. Given that 23XI and FRM get their injunction and charters.
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