Front Row Motorsports Logo

Sport Supplement Company to Sponsor Ragan, Gilliland, Pit Crews

Statesville, N.C. (February 8, 2012) - Sport supplement company Maximum Human Performance (MHP) will bring its message to NASCAR fans for the first time, joining Front Row Motorsports as a multi-race, multi-year partner in the team’s Sprint Cup Series campaigns. MHP will be a primary sponsor for multiple races in both 2012 and 2013, including the upcoming Budweiser Shootout exhibition race on David Ragan’s No. 34 Ford and the season-opening Daytona 500 on David Gilliland’s No. 38 Ford.

MHP will also be the official sport supplement line of Front Row Motorsports and an official sponsor of the Nos. 34 and 38 pit crews. Company experts will work with the team’s pit crew coach and trainers to develop nutritional and fitness plans to improve and maximize the performance of the over-the-wall crew throughout the season.

“This is really going to be a unique program,” said Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. “Sponsors, of course, help make your race programs better across the board via funding, but this is a case where they’re also going to make our pit crews healthier, stronger and faster. Everyone knows that a couple seconds on pit road can make a huge difference on the track. This partnership is focused on getting our athletes in the best shape possible to deliver maximum performance when it matters most.”

Fairfield, NJ-based MHP was launched in 1997 by bodybuilder Gerard Dente to develop premier science-based, research-driven sports supplements to help athletes achieve their greatest physical potential. The product line is used by world-class athletes, pro bodybuilders, powerlifters, strongmen and fitness enthusiasts alike. Products are sold in vitamin/supplement retail stores and online at www.MHPStrong.com.

The deal marks MHP’s first partnership in NASCAR. With Ragan and Gilliland both being skilled restrictor-plate racers, the February 18 Budweiser Shootout and the February 26 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway provide the perfect platform to introduce the company to an audience of millions of race fans.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to work with a first-rate racing team like Front Row Motorsports,” said Dente, CEO of MHP. “This unique sponsorship will not only connect our brand with millions of NASCAR fans, but more importantly it will showcase how our supplements will help improve the performance of their pit crew and drivers. I’m looking forward to working with pit crew coach Gary Smith and seeing how improvements in the pit crews’ speed and strength translate into better track times for the team.”

“MHP could have teamed up with any team in the sport, and they selected Front Row Motorsports,” said team general manager Jerry Freeze. “In the off-season, we upgraded our driver line-up, our pit crews and shop personnel, and our front-office leadership. It is reassuring when prospects like MHP conduct in-depth due diligence and confirm that our value proposition is compelling.

“Plus, it will be even more compelling after MHP helps get our over-the-wall guys performing at their maximum performance potential. That was an area that needed improvement, and in MHP we have a partner that is going help us do just that – continually improve.”

For more information about MHP, visit www.MHPStrong.com.

About Front Row Motorsports:

Front Row Motorsports is a Statesville, N.C.-based race team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Formed in 2005 by restaurant and transportation entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, the team has competed in NASCAR racing in each year since its inception. The team partners with Ford Racing and Roush-Yates Racing Engines to field the No. 34 Ford driven by David Ragan and the No. 38 Ford driven by David Gilliland. For sponsorship inquiries contact Robin Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer, at (704) 904-4347.

Source: Breaking Limits Marketing for Front Row Motorsports, Press Release

David Ragan

It of course will be Ragan’s first start in a points-paying race at Daytona since he won last July’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400-miler. He hasn’t driven a Nationwide race at Daytona since July 2009 and has just one Nationwide start since the end of that season, coming last November in Texas. He has a pair of Nationwide Series victories, both coming in 2009 at Talladega and Bristol. In six starts at Daytona in NASCAR’s second-tier division, he has one eighth-place finish and three ninths.

The GCMI team debuted last April in Nashville with Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick behind the wheel. Fellow Canadian Andrew Ranger and American J.J. Yeley also drove races for the team. Fitzpatrick scored a pair of top-10 finishes, including a fifth in Montreal. Ranger, a two-time champion of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, will pilot the car in several Nationwide races this season while chasing a third title north of the border.

- SB Nation

EASLEY, SC (January 30, 2012) – If race officials at SpeedFest 2012 kept gave an award for the most cars passed through the course of Sunday’s event at Georgia’s Watermelon Capital Speedway, 14-year-old Kyle Benjamin would be the run-away winner. Between the CRA Super Series’ 200-lap Super Late Model feature and the Rheem 150 JEGS /CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Model race on January 29th, Benjamin came from the back of the pack four times for various reasons en route to two solid finishes.

Whether it was from an early tangle and subsequent lost lap in the Pro Late Model race or a pit road malady in the Super Late Model run, Benjamin had to slice his way back to the front pack with the precision of a veteran. The charges to the front worked out well in both races, as he started the day off with a 12th-place finish in the Pro Late Model race, then followed it up with an impressive seventh-place result in his first-ever Super Late Model event, the SpeedFest 200.

“I’m really proud of our effort,” said Benjamin. “It was my first Super race and there were a bunch of Cup drivers like Kyle Busch and David Ragan in it. It was like a professional race in Super Late Models. I learned a ton all weekend and I’m really pleased with how we ran.”

SpeedFest feature day nearly got off to a disastrous start in the Pro Late Model 150-lapper. A first-lap tangle resulted in Benjamin getting stuck against the inside wall and having to make a series of pit stops to get back into contention.

“We got caught up in an early wreck and that wasn’t a good way to start that race,” added Benjamin. “We had to go to the back, but we were able to get the Lucky Dog and got back on the lead lap. Between the stops and the Lucky Dog, we were able to get to the front three separate times. By that point, the tires were gone, but I’m happy with the way we finished that one.”

The Super Late Model race was as good of a learning experience as the 14-year-old could have asked for. Racing against NASCAR stars in a 200-lap test of endurance, Benjamin didn’t fold against the competition. He ran inside the top-10 most of the race before a pit penalty prior to halfway put him to the rear of the field one more time.

But, since he had already come from the back three times in a 150-lapper earlier in the day, doing it one more time was a piece of cake for the young racer.

“The Super race was a lot of fun. We got sent to the back because Freddie (Query, crew chief) made a call to come in for tires before the halfway break. We weren’t allowed to do that. We were able to overcome that setback and came back for a good finish.”

While the finish will look good on the stat sheet, the seventh-place run also was a valuable learning tool

“I learned a lot of throttle control and some techniques to use from other people I got to race around with the Super Late Model. There was a lot of things I learned running the Super that I didn’t know by running the Pro. It’s just a lot of new stuff that will be very helpful as we go through the season.”

Benjamin’s 2012 schedule will continue in the Super Late Model division during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. Benjamin will make his first appearance in a Super Late Model at the nine-night racing extravaganza during Florida Speedweeks. The World Series event kicks off on Friday, February 17th, but Benjamin and his number-71 team will likely begin competing on Tuesday, February 21st. Action continues through Saturday, February 25th.

For more information on Kyle Benjamin, be sure to visit an all-new KyleBenjamin.com coming soon.

- 51 Sports Press Release

CONCORD, NC (January 30, 2012) – Bubba Pollard won 19 races in 2011, but beating NASCAR driver Kyle Busch in the closing laps of a short track race would have trumped those feats as Busch is has proven to be nearly unbeatable in Super Late Model events in recent seasons.

Pollard traded the lead with Busch several times over the 200-lap SpeedFest event at Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA). Pollard may have had more experience at Watermelon Capital than Busch, who was making his first-ever start there, but Busch wasn’t going to be denied. Busch made the final pass on lap 184 to finish ahead of Pollard at the checkered flag.

“I wish I was doing that,” said Pollard as he pointed to Busch’s burnout in victory lane.

Pollard managed to smile after finishing second to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star because he knew he had been beaten by one of the best in the business.

“Our car was real good on the short run and I could get by him on the restarts,” added Pollard. “He had a much better car on the longer runs, but I wanted to get out in front of him on that last restart and let him know I could race with him and I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Finishing second found Pollard in front of fellow Georgian and NASCAR driver David Ragan. Also in the mix were defending race winner Chase Elliott, Ross Kenseth, Erik Darnell, Johnny Sauter, Clay Rogers and several other top drivers in the Super Late Model world.

“That’s the best in the country,” said Pollard motioning to Busch. “We hung with him pretty good today and we can’t hold our heads down after a strong run like this. We made a few adjustments at halfway and we came up a little short at the end. It’s pretty fun to race against these guys.”

Pollard ran the Pro Late Model race as well and led the first 76 circuits before giving up the lead. He would end up finishing fourth after a last lap scramble cost him a podium finish.

The two top-five finishes go along with his pair from the 2011 SpeedFest events and his average finish for the last four events at SpeedFest is a 2.75 at two different venues in the state of Georgia.

Pollard’s next schedule race is the Rattler 250 and the Pro Rattler 125 at South Alabama Speedway. Pollard is the defending Viper Series Champion at the track and is looking to capture the track’s biggest events.

For more information on Bubba Pollard visit his website at www.BubbaPollard.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

TJ Reaid

Reaid, the 22-year-old former All-American 400 winner, bided his time in the CRA Super Series event at the Cordele, Georgia track. He moved from his 22nd-place starting position into the top-15 when the halfway break jumbled the field at lap 100. Still desiring more from his number-41 machine, Reaid and his Jim Barfield-led crew from Bill Elliott Racing made the necessary adjustments at halfway to move into the top-five when the checkered flag flew.

“We just paced ourselves all day and missed what seemed like about a dozen or so wrecks all day,” said Reaid. “We put ourselves in position to race up front at the end. Where we were at halfway, it was a no-brainer to take four tires. If we would’ve had a caution with maybe 10 or so to go, I don’t know if I would’ve had enough for Kyle (Busch, winner) or Bubba (Pollard, second-place), but I feel like I could’ve gotten around David Ragan and Casey Smith (third and fourth, respectively). But that’s one of those ‘if’ deals. All in all, it was a really good weekend for us. It was great to get a top-five finish so we can go on to The Rattler in a month or so.”

The 22nd-to-fifth run in a stout field of short track champions and NASCAR superstars like Kyle Busch, David Ragan and Johnny Sauter is impressive. Considering Reaid did it in his first run for a new team in a brand of racecar foreign to him, the result is even more notable.

“We went down to Cordele the Sunday before to try to test and it rained. The whole next week was hit or miss with the rain and we weren’t able to work together before the race, so I really feel like it was an outstanding weekend.

“I went into the weekend kind of blind. I had never driven those (Grand American Race Cars chassis) cars before and didn’t know what to expect them to do. We had to make a couple changes as far as driver comfort for me, but to come out of the deal with the car in one piece and a top-five was definitely like a win for us.”

Reaid’s first start as part of the Bill Elliott Racing team came as a breath of fresh air after not achieving the success he hoped for in 2011. After winning races over the past few seasons with his own family team and then with Kyle Busch Motorsports through 2010, Reaid was shut out of victory lane in 2011. With a new, focused-on-fun, approach, Reaid is hoping to parlay the strong SpeedFest run into a trip to victory lane in 2012.

“It definitely was a lot of fun this weekend,” added Reaid. “Last year, running for KBM, there was a lot of pressure. You’re sitting in the best seat. Kyle showed it again yesterday by winning the race. Now I’ve gotten back to having fun.

“The Bill Elliott Racing team is definitely a first-class operation. I can see now why they’re tough everywhere they go. Every guy there works beyond their potential. They enjoy doing it and we had a lot of fun. I’m definitely looking forward to working with Jim (Barfield, Reaid’s SpeedFest crew chief) and Ricky (Turner, crew chief for Reaid’s teammate Chase Elliott) and all the rest of the guys more this year. They seemed really pumped at the end of the race and I think that’s a good start to the year for us.”

Reaid’s fifth also gives the young racer momentum for what he hopes will be more opportunities to drive for the BER team in 2012.

“We’ve got The Rattler scheduled for sure with them. I’d like to do the rest of the big races with them. Then in the races where Chase runs or when they’ve got other people scheduled, roll our car out there just to stay in the seat and not get rusty.”

The Rattler will take place March 2nd through 4th at South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Alabama.

For more information on TJ Reaid, visit www.tjreaid.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Casey Smith

“It’s been forever since I’ve raced here so I really didn’t know what to think when we showed up, but we got up to speed pretty fast. The car felt good in practice so I knew I had a good racecar underneath me. I can’t explain how good it feels to finish fourth in our first race of 2012; we went all year without finishing in the top five last season so to get this finish means a lot for this team’s confidence right now,” said Smith after the race.

It didn’t take long for Smith to showcase the speed his #99 SealMaster of Austin Chevy Impala had in it as he quickly made his way just outside the top five after qualifying seventeenth in less than sixty laps. At the events halfway break on lap 100 Casey positioned himself in the third position just behind eventual winner, NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver Kyle Busch.

It soon became a four car breakaway battle for the lead with Casey right in the middle of it all. With laps winding down and Busch in the lead Smith battled fellow super late model regular Bubba Pollard for the second place position before slight racing contact sent Smith back to third. In the final few laps it would be another NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver in the form of David Ragan who would come between the #99 machine and the top spot as the checkered flag waved.

“Anytime you can say you race with Kyle Busch and David Ragan for the win your saying a lot. I really thought though we might have something for Kyle, but then I was trying to get around Bubba for second and we made some contact that cost us a few car lengths on them both,” added Smith. “It was just one of those racing deals I guess but it cost us in the end I think. Regardless I couldn’t be happier with our finish and can’t wait for the Rattler in March.”

For more information on Texas super late model driver Casey Smith and his Casey Smith Racing team visit his website at www.caseysmithracing.com.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM)

Event: SpeedFest 200

Series: CRA Super Series

Location: Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga. (3/8-mile D-shaped oval)

Start / Finish: 3rd/1st (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps)

Winner: Kyle Busch of Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) (Toyota)

The 2012 CRA Super Series SpeedFest 200 may have started at a new venue, but for Kyle Busch and his No. 51 KBM Camry the race ended in a familiar location – Victory Lane. Busch, who won back-to-back SpeedFests in 2009 and 2010 when the event was held at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga., led 86 of the final 100 laps of Sunday’s race at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga. en route to his third career SpeedFest title.

Kyle Busch wins SpeedFest 200 (Photo Credit: 51 Sports)

Busch, who started the 200-lap race from the third spot, attempted to take the lead for the first time on lap 2, but race leader and 2011 CRA South Champion Bubba Pollard was able to close the door. The No. 51 KBM Camry settled into the second spot and would remain in the top four for the first 100 laps.

On lap 96, the Las Vegas native escaped near disaster as he battled Erik Jones for the runner-up position. Jones blew a motor just ahead of Busch as the field entered Turn 3, and the oil pouring from his car sent the No. 51 Camry fishtailing off the edge of the track. Busch was able to correct his course and returned to the race track scored in the second position, as the race reached the halfway mark under caution.

During the 10-minute break, KBM crew chief Chris Gabehart called for a two-tire stop which enabled his driver to remain near the front of the field for the start of the final 100 laps. Chase Elliott, the 16-year old son of Bill Elliott, was running fifth at the break, but his crew decided to forgo putting fresh tires on allowing their driver to lead the field to green for the final 100 laps.

Busch made quick work of Elliott and assumed the lead for the first time on lap 102. The No. 51 Camry remained out front until a restart on lap 149. Pollard’s strong push on the outside line allowed him to regain the lead on lap 150, but it was short-lived as Busch retook the top spot one lap later.

Pollard once again worked his way past the No. 51 Camry with another strong restart on lap 171 and checked out to a three-car length lead as the race headed into the final 25 laps. Busch, whose Camry proved to be faster on the long runs throughout the race, chased down the Georgia native and retook the lead on lap 184. As the race proceeded caution free for the final 15 laps, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star slowly stretched his lead and crossed the finish line 1.843 seconds ahead of the 2011 CRA South Champion.

Pollard finished second, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular David Ragan in third. Casey Smith and T.J. Reaid rounded out the top-five finishers.

The race featured 13 cautions for 86 laps. Seven of the 30 cars were unable to finish the race.

The next event for Busch and KBM will be the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. KBM’s driver-owner will be behind the wheel of the No. 54 Monster Energy Camry in the team’s much-anticipated Nationwide Series debut.

- Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release

Front Row Motorsports Logo

Statesville, N.C. (January 24, 2012) 

The new motorsports partnership expands an existing business relationship between the Berwyn, Penn.-based company and Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins.  ModSpace is currently working with Jenkins’ quick-service restaurant company to build new Taco Bell/Long John Silver’s locations.

“I’ve been impressed with ModSpace and their modular construction concepts and the experience they bring to the table,” Jenkins said.  “Our companies share some of the same ideals, so it’s a natural fit to team up.  I’m excited they’re going to partner with us on the racetrack now, too.”

The new motorsports partnership will help with another type of “building” – the continued growth of Jenkins’ Sprint Cup team, which is coming off the best season in its young history.  The first appearance of the No. 38 ModSpace Ford is scheduled for the April 14 race at Texas Motor Speedway.

ModSpace is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary or permanent space needs.  Building on more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets – including commercial, construction, education, government, healthcare, industrial/energy and special events – through an extensive nationwide branch network throughout the United States and Canada.

“We are thrilled to partner with Front Row Motorsports for this upcoming Sprint Cup season,” stated William Mann, Vice President of Motorsports for ModSpace.  “In the modular construction business, we understand the importance of speed while still delivering a high-quality product, so this motorsports alignment is perfect for our business model.  ModSpace looks forward to a great season from both the No. 38 and No. 34 teams.”

ModSpace has constructed buildings for renowned clients ranging from the Professional Golf Association (PGA) to General Motors, IBM and the U.S. Army.  For more information on the company and its projects, visit www.ModSpace.com.

About Front Row Motorsports:

Front Row Motorsports is a Statesville, N.C.-based race team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Formed in 2005 by restaurant and transportation entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, the team has competed in NASCAR racing in each year since its inception, expanding full-time to the premier Sprint Cup Series in 2009.  The team partners with Ford Racing and Roush-Yates Racing Engines to field the No. 34 Ford driven by David Ragan and the No. 38 Ford driven by David Gilliland.

Source: Front Row Motorsports, Press Release

Casey Smith

“Yeah, it has been close to twelve years since I’ve raced at Watermelon Capital (Speedway) so I’m sure there have been a few changes since then. I know the car count looks good and towards the end of the year last year we really found out what made our car fast, so I’m pretty eager to get there and hit the track for practice,” said Smith. “Supposedly Kyle Bush and David Ragan, whose hometown in just up the road, will be racing this weekend with us which is always something to look forward to especially when you are able to out run them.”

In conjunction with this weekend’s January event, one of the earliest dates ever to kick off the season for the #99 team, Casey is proud to announce his 2012 season plans which span seventeen races long, throughout four states, including a series debut in PASS South competition. Longtime fans will continue to see the #99 SealMaster of Austin Chevy Impala at both five race mini series at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida and Mobile Int’l Speedway located just outside of Mobile, Alabama.

In addition to the races at the two above mentioned tracks Smith will hit three events at Jefferson, Georgia’s ultra fast Gresham Motorsports Park highlighted by the 29th Annual World Crown 300 on November 11th. Two of the most historic super late model races in the country will highlight Casey’s 2012 schedule. The Texas native will make his return to Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee for his PASS South series debut as the series will bring back the traditional 400 lap All American 400 event on Saturday October 6th. From there Casey will do what he has done for years now and close out his 2012 schedule with the 45th running of the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway on Sunday afternoon December 2nd.

“I didn’t get to race as much as I wanted to in 2011, so this year we came up with a little bit more of an aggressive schedule,” stated Smith. “This year’s schedule is awesome especially with the chance to go back to the Fairgrounds at Nashville for a chance to win the All American 400 again. I think this could really be the year that we get back to victory lane and it feels like a long time coming. I honestly couldn’t be more ready for racing season to get here.”

For all the latest news on Texas native Casey Smith visit his home on the web at www.caseysmithracing.com.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Erik Jones (Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press)

“We have a lot of momentum from the 2011 season,” said Jones. “It shouldn’t be too hard to carry that over into the new year. When you have a great season like 2011 you just can’t wait to get back on the track, the off season seems like it lasts forever.”

Jones was the 2011 Governor’s Cup 200 winner at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) after locking up the JEGS All Stars Tour title a few weeks prior to that. He also had a solid performance going in the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway (FL) in December before being swept up in a wreck.

2012 will kick off at a new track, as Jones will set his eyes on the 3/8-mile Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia for the first time at SpeedFest.

“It looks like a fun track from the pictures and should put on a good show for the fans with our Paragon Corvette Reproductions Chevy,” said Jones. “I am really excited to go there. I always like to go to a new racetrack and hopefully race with some new people.”

Those new people will include drivers like NASCAR stars Kyle Busch, Johnny Sauter, Erik Darnell and David Ragan, as well as short track standouts such as Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard and several other big Super Late Model names.

Three-time CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz has stepped in to be the head wrench and driver coach for the young driver.

“Scott Hantz will be working in collaboration with Venturini Motorsports, my ARCA team. I am really looking forward to being able to work with so much experience this year and I’m looking to pick up the 2012 season right where we left off.”

Jones will be focusing his efforts on the ARCA/CRA Super Series Super Late Model 200-lap portion of SpeedFest weekend and will not be competing in the JEGS Tour event.

“It is different not being able to hop into the (JEGS Tour) Pro Late Model at SpeedFest. It bums me out a little bit as I really enjoy running the Pro class. We have had great success with the Super Late Model though and I really enjoyed the faster pace of racing that I got to experience twice last year.

Jones and his Paragon Corvette Reproductions #4 team will start the action on Friday January 27th with practice. Qualifying will take place on Saturday, January 28th with the feature event being on Sunday, January 29th.

For more on Erik Jones, please visit his website at www.ErikJonesRacing.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Front Row Motorsports Logo

Cup Race Winner to Drive No. 34 Ford, Gilliland Returns to Pilot No. 38 Ford

Statesville, N.C. (January 16, 2012) - Front Row Motorsports will follow up its best season in the team’s young history by bolstering its line-up for 2012, adding race winner David Ragan to drive the No. 34 Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  Front Row veteran David Gilliland will build off an impressive 2011 season, returning to the team behind the wheel of the team’s second entry, the No. 38 Ford Fusion.

Ragan joins Front Row after completing a 2011 season that delivered his first Cup win (Daytona International Speedway in July), two poles, and four top-five and eight top-10 finishes.  The 26-year-old Unadilla, Ga., native is already a NASCAR veteran, first joining the national stock-car ranks at the age of 18 and quickly ascending to premier-level Sprint Cup racing.  His No. 34 team is locked in to the starting line-up entering the 2012 season, including a guaranteed starting spot in the prestigious Daytona 500 next month.

“Front Row has made great progress in the last few years, and I look forward to helping them advance to the next level,” Ragan said.  “I think the team appreciates what I can bring to the table, and I think it’s a good opportunity for both of us.  I’ve also enjoyed a long relationship with Ford and I’m glad that I’ll get to keep working with them.”

Gilliland returns for his third season with Front Row and his seventh in the Cup series.  The 35-year-old Riverside, Calif., native will return to the No. 38, the number he drove as a Sprint Cup rookie as well as the car he drove in his first season with Front Row.  The No. 38 team is also locked in to the field entering 2012.  Last season, Gilliland raced his way to a third-place finish in the Daytona 500 to start off an impressive 2011 run, in which he proved to be a force on superspeedways and road courses.

“We’ve gotten better year to year and even week to week in the time I’ve been with Front Row, so I’m excited to be back for a third year and to have David (Ragan) as a teammate,” Gilliland said.  “It’s good to be back in the ’38′ car, too.  It was my dad’s number, and I’ve also had some pretty good days at the racetrack with that number on the door.”

Front Row Motorsports, which is owned by restaurant and transportation entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, enters its fourth full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series.  The team turned in its best results in its young history in 2011, earning one top-5, two top-10, three top-15 and five top-20 finishes in 2011, including the history-best third at Daytona.

“I am committed to building a competitive race team by employing the same fundamental business principles that have worked for my other successful endeavors, and it all begins with the people,” Jenkins said.  “We took some pretty big steps in our race program last year and adding David Ragan is another giant step in the right direction.

“When you look at some of the large, storied teams in NASCAR that have been running for decades, we’re still pretty young by comparison,” Jenkins continued. “But I like the upgrades we’re making and the improvements we’re seeing, and I am confident we will be able to compete with them on a consistent basis in the not-too-distant future.  Ragan is a proven competitor and race winner, Gilliland had a really solid season for us last year, Roush Yates engines are the best in the sport, and Ford continues to provide invaluable support, so I feel like 2012 is really going to be our year to step up to the next level.  Plus, I now have two Davids to engage Goliath, and we know how that day ended.”

Sponsorship for the Front Row Motorsports entries is being finalized and will be announced soon.

“We’ve worked hard to build an organization that can deliver compelling value propositions for our partners, and we can win immediately on that front given our size, efficiencies and cost structures,” said Jerry Freeze, Front Row Motorsports’ General Manager. “Fortunately, a few leading corporate partners have taken notice and others are conducting their due diligence.  That’s very encouraging and bodes well for our future.”

About Front Row Motorsports:

Front Row Motorsports is a Statesville, N.C.-based race team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Formed in 2005 by restaurant and transportation entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, the team has competed in NASCAR racing in each year since its inception, expanding full-time to the premier Sprint Cup Series in 2009.  The team partners with Ford Racing and Roush-Yates Racing Engines to field the No. 34 Ford driven by David Ragan and the No. 38 Ford driven by David Gilliland.

Source: Breaking Limits Marketing for Front Row Motorsports, Press Release

David Ragan

It seemed that Ragan had been in the hunt for a job with Penske Racing after the mutual seperation with the organization and Kurt Busch earlier in December. Though David Ragan, David Reutimann, and Brian Vickers were considered the top drivers still without rides for the 2012 season, Penske Racing decided to hire A.J. ALlmendinger. Allmendinger had been with Richard Petty Motorsports, but there was no sponsor for his No. 43 after Best Buy moved over to Roush-Fenway Racing. With no sponsor on the hood, Allmendinger looked elsewhere.

The open position with RPM is rumored to be going to Aric Almirola, a NASCAR Nationwide Series driver. Though no sponsor has been officially announce, it is believed that the organization would announce the sponsor and the driver at the same time. If Almirola is leaving the Nationwide Series, then a spot at JR Motorsports will be open. Reports are the seat filling is between Ragan and Cole Whitt, a former Red Bull Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck series driver. With so few opportunies, Ragan is hoping that he will land in the drivers seat.

- Stock Car Spin

Ty Dillon (L) and car owner and grandather Richard Childress (R) celebrate the ARCA Racing Series championship during the annual awards banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center (Photo Credit: ARCA)

Dillon and his No. 41 Chevrolet team were officially crowned ARCA champions at the series’ annual Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The 19-year-old from Lewisville, N.C. was among 15 drivers from the top 20 in the final point standings to be honored on stage, and left with more than $100,000 in point fund and special award earnings, as awarded by the numerous series partners at the ceremony.

To honor Dillon’s position as the 29th ARCA Racing Series champion in 59 seasons, ARCA president Ron Drager presented the driver a letter signed by North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, as well as a series championship ring and a leather championship jacket featuring the series logo.

As is the custom, a video tribute featured photographs from the champion’s youth and ascent to championship status; special additions to this season’s video included special messages from Richard Childress Racing drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton, as well as a collection of footage showcasing Dillon’s use of the word “awesome” in Victory Lane interviews.

Joining Dillon on stage were his grandfather and team owner, Richard Childress, grandmother Judy Childress, and crew chief Scott “Flash” Naset, who was joined by his wife Stephanie.

“It doesn’t really hit you, how special it is to do something like this, until you’re up on the stage like this and all these people you’ve worked so hard against all year are staring up at you and you’re getting crowned the champion,” said Dillon, who finished the season with seven wins, 13 top-fives, and 16 top-10 finishes. “It hit me pretty hard, and I’m just proud to be with the group of guys I’m with. It’s almost just surreal, to finally take it in. This experience right here has changed me a lot.”

Among the top awards Dillon and his team received were: $10,000 for winning the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell after securing seven poles in 2011; $6,000 from Sunoco Race Fuel; $5,000 for winning the Aaron’s Lap Leader of the Year Award; $5,000 from Messina Wildlife Management; $5,000 from Hoosier for most wins by a car owner; $2,500 from the University of Northwestern Ohio; and the Fast Track High Performance Driving School Award. Jeff Abbott of Menards presented Dillon a check representing his winnings from the series points fund.

Naset also visited the stage on his own to accept the Cometic Crew Chief of the Year Award.

David Ragan, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series race winner, served as the Guest of Honor. SPEED television analyst Phil Parsons acted as the banquet host for the third consecutive year.

Chris Buescher, who drove to second place in the final standings for Roulo Brothers Racing, received the $10,000 ARCA Rookie of the Year Award, as well as $2,500 in cash and product certificates from Print Resources and $500 from JRI. Buescher also accepted the $15,000 Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Award and the R.E. Lightning Challenge Award, among other prizes.

Buescher won three of the season’s last four races, and the team’s Russell Roulo won the Klotz Engine Mechanic of the Year Award. Gary Roulo joined Buescher on stage when he was introduced for finishing in second place.

The team left with more than $100,000 in point fund and special award earnings after a season in which Buescher drove to three wins, 14 top-fives, and 16 top-10s.

Frank Kimmel was recognized on stage for finishing third in the series standings, as well as for winning the CGS Imaging Hard Charger of the Year Award and the S&S Volvo Laps Completed Award. He was joined for a final time on stage by brother and crew chief Bill Kimmel; the two will separate for the 2012 season with Frank Kimmel moving to ThorSport Racing.

Chad McCumbee, who finished fifth in the final series standings, joined owner Jennifer Belmont on stage to accept the Bill France Four Crown Award for his combined performances at New Jersey, Michigan, Springfield, and Salem.

Fourth-place driver Grant Enfinger and owner Mike Allgaier were introduced, as were fellow pairs from the top 10 in the final standings: Tom Hessert and team owner Ken Schrader (sixth); Tim George Jr. and crew chief Gere Kennon (seventh); Chad Hackenbracht and team owner Greg Hackenbracht (eighth); Sean Corr and team owner John Corr (ninth); and Darrell Basham (10th).

The top-10 honor – Basham’s first since 1976 – turned out to be the second recognition of the night for Basham. Earlier, he was honored with his second Spirit Award, following the same honor in 2003. The Spirit Award is given to a person for dedication and support of ARCA, uplifting spirit by way of example, perseverance, and positive attitude. Despite a late 2010 garage fire that destroyed nearly all his race equipment, Basham displayed all of those characteristics in driving to his best season finish in 35 years.

Nick Ramey accepted the Crane Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award on behalf of Roush Yates Engines, and Ramey himself was presented the H.G. Adcox Sportsman of the Year Award for his consistent willingness to assist any team in the garage.

In addition to stepping to the stage with Hessert, Schrader appeared to accept the Marcum Award, annually presented to an individual or entity whose positive efforts have elevated ARCA’s motorsports stature to the benefit of all associated. Schrader is a 15-time winner in the ARCA Racing Series, and continues to promote the series today as a team owner and television broadcaster.

Cathy Venturini and Nate Thiesse, the fourth and 10th-place owners, respectively, both spoke on stage.

To complete the honoring of the top 20 drivers, James Hylton (11th), Brad Smith (12th), Levi Youster (14th), Will Kimmel (15th), and Maryeve Dufault (16th) visited the stage to receive congratulations.

Jeff Kettman accepted the Manufacturer Championship on behalf of Chevrolet.

Andy O’Neal, dean of the College of Technology of the University of Northwestern Ohio – ARCA’s Official High Performance Education University – awarded a group of ARCA scholarships on behalf of the university.

Likewise, Parsons announced the winners of the Bob Loga Memorial ARCA Scholarships. Brianna Peterson – granddaughter of ARCA competitor Wayne Peterson – won $1,500. Peterson, of Hoover, Ala., holds a 4.23 grade point average as a sophomore veterinary student at Auburn University. Brittany Gaddis of Romulus, Mich. won $500. She is the daughter of ARCA Figure 8 driver Danny Gaddis, attends Romulus High School, and plans to study nursing at Wayne State University in Detroit.

The ceremony concluded just after 10 p.m. with a special video featuring an interview with Mildred Marcum, known widely as an ARCA founder. The interview led into a short mention of ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season and the surrounding celebrations that will occur throughout 2012. A press conference in the afternoon included major series and team announcements.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 19 events at 16 tracks on its 2011 schedule. The series has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

The 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule is currently available at ARCARacing.com. Testing for ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season will begin Friday, December 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The season’s first race is scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at Daytona.

Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

- Automobile Racing Club of America Press Release

David Ragan

Ragan made 31 ARCA starts between 2003 and 2008, and won at Lanier National Speedway in Georgia on May 28, 2005. He made his Sprint Cup debut for Roush Fenway Racing in 2006, began racing full-time for the team in 2007, and won at historic Daytona International Speedway for the team this July.

The 25-year-old from Unadilla, Ga. has made 308 starts in NASCAR’s three national series since 2004, and also has two NASCAR Nationwide Series wins.

Series champion Ty Dillon, Rookie of the Year Chris Buescher, other drivers from the top 20, and the top 10 car owners will be honored Saturday in a program that also features special award winners.

In an interesting connection, Ragan is a mentor to and has spotted for Buescher in ARCA competition. Ragan drove for Roulo Brothers Racing while in ARCA, preceding Buescher’s tenure with the team.

Additional special award presentations include the Bill France Four Crown, the Rookie of the Year, the Cometic Crew Chief of the Year, the H.G. Adcox Sportsmanship Award, the Manufacturer Championship, the Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Award, the Crane Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award, the Marcum Award, the Spirit Award, the Klotz Engine Mechanic Award, and the CGS Imaging Hard Charger Award. In addition, scholarship recipients will be announced, compliments of the University of Northwestern Ohio and the Bob Loga Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

While open to teams, series and track officials, and sponsors, the annual formal gala is also open to ARCA Racing Series fans. Ticket information is available at ARCARacing.com.

The public schedule of events for Saturday, December 10 is as follows:

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Redline Racing Ministry Silent Auction

2 p.m. ARCA Racing Series Press Conference

3 p.m. Redline Racing Ministry Live Auction

4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Formal Portrait Photo Session

5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Guest Reception

6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Awards Dinner and Program

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 19 events at 16 tracks on its 2011 schedule. The series has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

The 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule is currently available at ARCARacing.com.

Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

- Automobile Racing Club of America Press Release

Ford Racing

CARL EDWARDS – No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion (Qualified 1st) –

YOU WERE SECOND FASTEST IN FIRST PRACTICE AND FASTEST IN FIRST PRACTICE. “That was all qualifying. We focused on our race runs the first practice and had a tire issue the second practice and only made two runs. It worked out great though. I just really appreciate Matt Kenseth’s help and all of my teammates helping me the best they could today to give us the best shot at this pole. I can’t believe we got the pole. We were just hoping to start in front of Tony somewhere and preferably the top-five. The pole is a gift.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER – No. 43 Best Buy Ford Fusion (Qualified 12th) – “That was okay. We struggled a little bit today with the Best Buy Ford. We’ve kind of struggled with getting into the corner and I’ve really struggled to run the top. I think the top is the faster way to go, but I can’t get there right now. It was a solid lap. You can always pick it apart and say it was a little bit better, but we’re working hard. This hasn’t been the best day for us, but Greg Erwin and all the guys are working hard. Hopefully, that gets us a decent starting spot because it’s a long race on Sunday.”

MARCOS AMBROSE – No. 9 Stanley Ford Fusion (Qualified 18th) – “I just didn’t know what line to take. I went a bit higher than what I probably should have, but we’ll take it. I’ve just got to thank Ford Racing for putting on this huge show here. It’s great to finish here at the big Ford event. We’ve got Carl with a chance to win, Ford as well, and I’m real excited about it. With Stanley and DeWalt, it’s just been a ripper year. It’s been fantastic to drive with the King and I just want to thank all of my boys and Todd Parrott on the box. It’s been a really strong effort for us.”

GREG BIFFLE – No. 16 3M Ford Fusion (Qualified 8th) - “I think I have a great car for tomorrow. The lap was pretty good. We struggled earlier today in qualifying trim for some reason. Gosh, I let up the gas off of four and it started to slide and chatter a little bit. I lost a lot of momentum and I don’t know if I had to lift. It was one of those things where it was like; uh oh I am in big trouble. I backed off it for a minute and I don’t know. It is so tight up there. That is probably the top of the board but who knows if it would have stuck.

DO YOU HAVE A TOP FIVE CAR IN RACE TRIM? “Oh yeah. We were probably close to being the fastest in race trim. We are pretty dang good as a team. I would say we are all in that area of top-10 somewhere.”

MATT KENSETH – No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion (Qualified 6th)– “I think we just missed the set up a little bit. I thought I got a pretty decent lap. It wasn’t perfect. This is a tough place to get everything because the lines change the way the car handles so much. I think we missed it a little bit but I thought we got most of it.”

TREVOR BAYNE – No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion (Qualified 20th) – “I was pretty happy with that pick-up there. I didn’t expect to run a teen. I don’t know how good that’s gonna hold up. We’re fifth right now, but I think it’ll be a decent start. I’m really happy with the adjustments we made. We ran like a .60 in practice and I was hoping for a .30, but we ran a teen there. I caught a little cloud, so that was good for us, but I think we’re gonna race a lot better than we qualify either way. If we end up fifth, then we’ll really be good in the race, but I think there are obviously a lot of good cars still to go. If we can get a top 20, we can race from there. I’d prefer a top-15, so we’ll work on that, but I’m excited about this car so far and just excited to be a part of this all year long. Hopefully, I’ll be back in the 21 next year. We’ll see what happens, but I’ve just really, really enjoyed it so far. I remember a year ago when I was sitting on the pit box watching these guys and Bill Elliott was driving the car. It’s been a crazy year, but it’s been a really memorable one and I’m just excited to have been a part of it.”

DAVID RAGAN – No. 6 UPS My Choice Ford Fusion - “That was a good lap for us; it wasn’t perfect. We made some pretty big adjustments after that last practice because we knew the track was going to cool down just a little bit and maybe we went a little too far. I think we’ve got a great UPS Ford for Sunday. That’s in the top 15 and we’ll be able to go racing with that on Sunday.”

TRAVIS KVAPIL – No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Fusion (Qualified 40th) – “It feels nice to be locked into these races because we didn’t really put any emphasis on a qualifying effort today. We really just worked on our race trim stuff. That’s a pretty good lap for us and we gained a lot of speed there, but it’s not gonna shake out very good overall. Still, I’m excited about Sunday.”

DAVID GILLILAND – No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion (Qualified 38th) – “We have struggled and have been nowhere close to where we needed to be. It’s a little disappointing when you unload that far off, but we made some good gains and we’ll just keep working on it. We’ve still got the race, but I’m a little disappointed. We’ve run really well here the last couple of years, but we’ve just struggled today. The track didn’t have a lot of grip and I know a lot of people are having issues, but hopefully we’ll get a handle on it.”

J.J. YELEY – No. 55 Ingersoll Rand Ford Fusion – “I think it’ll probably be pretty decent. The most important thing, obviously, is we’re in. We were really pretty decent the first practice and lost the balance in the second practice, so I was a little worried about what I had on the lap there. I think I probably gave it an 85 percent lap. I know I probably could have gained another tenth-and-a-half, at the same time I probably could have wrecked the thing, too. The good thing is we had a good run. I know these guys have worked their tails off all year long for me on this 55 car. It’s been a lot of fun and I’m glad that we’ve had a good run here for the final race at Homestead.”

CARL EDWARDS POLE-WINNING PRESS CONFERENCE –

ARE THINGS LINING UP LIKE YOU WANTED THEM TO THIS WEEKEND? “Yeah, things are good. Today went really well. I felt like our car was very fast in practice in race trim. I wasn’t really sure what to expect in qualifying trim, but that was a very pleasant surprise to run that well. That truly is just one lap, though, and, I mean, the biggest thing is that pit stall selection. That’s gonna be a big help the whole race. That’s something that’s hard to put a value on, so it looked like there were a lot of fast cars in practice. It didn’t look like we were head and shoulders better than anyone else, so this doesn’t dampen the amount of effort we’re gonna go out and put forth. We still have to go out and race this race. I do think that of all the tracks it would be nice to have a big advantage in qualifying at some of them, but this one you can pass at, so if there are faster race cars out there, they’ll be able to make it through the field.”

YOU MADE TWO QUALIFYING RUNS IN PRACTICE. DID YOU JUST FEEL YOU COULDN’T GET IT ANY BETTER? “Yeah, we ran the first practice completely in race trim and we felt that was the best strategy for us was to focus on race trim there, and then focus on qualifying trim the second practice. We actually had a cut in the right-rear tire after the first run in the second practice, so we had two sets of sticker tires, which we would normally run three or four runs total – a couple on the first set and then one final sticker run – but once we looked at that tire we realized we can’t use that again, we just couldn’t do it, so we made one more sticker run, so it was only two laps in the second practice. In a way, it probably helped us from tuning the thing out of contention. It was nice to just focus on two runs.”

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATE? IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE LINING UP FOR YOU? “I don’t know that I believe in fate, but I do believe that things happen for a reason. I do believe that whatever you encounter you have to treat as if that’s just the way it’s supposed to be. You can’t change things, I’ve learned that, so success and failure can both be good in the end, so you’ve got to be careful for what you wish for sometimes, but, yeah, this is going really well so far and, hopefully, this helps us all race. We didn’t need to qualify poorly, get a poor pit stall, have some little thorn in our side the whole race, so this will hopefully help us for the whole event.”

DOES TODAY REPRESENT A MOMENTUM SHIFT? “I don’t know. I didn’t pay any attention to them in practice and I didn’t see where he qualified, so I still don’t know where they qualified. I guess the deal is we’ve still got to go run this race and I know how tough those guys can be, so I’m not counting anything yet. We’re just gonna keep our heads down and work hard and go get the best we can. If anything, this is just good for our morale and for everybody to go sleep easy tonight and know we’re gonna have a good day on pit road, know we’ll hopefully be able to run out front and not get caught up in anything. But, truly, I understand that we still have to go run this race and anything can happen.”

IS TODAY A PRIME EXAMPLE OF YOU SAYING ALL THAT MATTERS IS WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TRACK? “I hope so, but, truly, it is just one lap and I know it could have gone any way. If we were out there and qualified 43rd right now, it wouldn’t change the way I’m gonna approach this race. I’m not just giving you all lip service. I’m here to do a job and to do it well and it truly doesn’t matter what’s said or what happens until that checkered flag falls.”

- PCGCampbell for Ford Racing, Press Release