Love’s Travel Stops Extends Successful Partnership with Front Row Motorsports into Sixth Season, Plans for 18 Races with McDowell

STATESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 22, 2017) – The Love’s Travel Stops and Front Row Motorsports partnership will extend into a sixth season in 2018. The familiar yellow and red Love’s paint scheme will return to the No. 34 Ford Fusion for 18 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races with driver Michael McDowell.

The Oklahoma City, Okla.-based company will adorn the No. 34 for a half-season schedule that includes the season-opening Daytona 500, both races at the company’s home track of Texas Motor Speedway, the Bristol Night Race and the Darlington Raceway throwback weekend. 

The 2018 season marks a sixth straight year of successful partnership between Love’s Travel Stops and Front Row Motorsports. Love’s has progressively grown its NASCAR marketing program with the team, incorporating its employees, customers and business partners into its success.



“We look forward to kicking off another great season in Daytona with Front Row Motorsports and welcoming our new driver of the No. 34 Love’s Ford, Michael McDowell,” said Dave Frankenfield, vice president of marketing for Love’s Travel Stops. “Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze continue to provide great value and flexibility in our partnership while working tirelessly to put a competitive car on the track each week. They also help create a unique race-day experience that allows our customers and employees to be a part of the Love’s race team.”

Love’s Travel Stops is family-owned and operated with more than 440 locations in 41 states, offering clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies for travelers. McDowell, a 10-year veteran of the series, looks forward to being an ambassador for Love’s both at the track and away from it.

“I know first-hand what it’s like to drive a motorhome all over the country with my family on board,” says McDowell. “So, I know how important it is to have a clean and safe place to stop at any hour of the day to fuel up, grab some snacks and whatever else we need on a road trip. Love’s has all of that, both for regular consumers like me and for professional truck drivers who make a living out on the road.”

The Love’s Travel Stops team will make its first on-track appearance of the year during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway next month. The No. 34 team will compete in the Can-Am Duels, the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, on Thursday, Feb. 15. The Daytona 500 is scheduled to run on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET and will air live on FOX.

Finley Named Crew Chief

Derrick Finley will be the one calling the shots atop the No. 34 pit box in 2018. Finley has been named crew chief for McDowell’s team after serving in the same role for Front Row Motorsports’ No. 38 team in 2017. The veteran crew chief has been with the organization since 2011.

For more information about Front Row Motorsports, visit teamfrm.com. For more information about Love’s Travel Stops, visit loves.com.


About Love’s Travel Stops:
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Founded in 1964, Love’s has more than 440 locations in 41 states. Love’s provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, travel items, electronics, snacks and more, as well as a selection of restaurant offerings. On-site Love’s Truck Tire Care centers offer roadside assistance, tire care and light mechanical services for professional truck drivers. Showers, CAT scales and other services for professional truck drivers are also available. Love’s, which remains family-owned and operated, employs more than 20,000 people. To learn more, visit www.loves.com.