David Ragan to Honor David Pearson and Give Patient VIP Race Experience
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 27, 2019) - Once again, Shriner David Ragan and Shriners Hospitals for Children are ready to give back.  Ragan heads to the Darlington Raceway this weekend to celebrate the history and tradition of NASCAR during its annual "Throwback Weekend."  And, he'll have a little help from 14-year-old Shriners Hospital for Children Greenville patient, Brannen.  Brannen, 14, from Charlotte, N.C. is being treated for  cerebral palsy at the Hospital.  Brannen, along with other guests from Shriners International will be VIP guests of Ragan.

Ragan will also be honoring fellow Shriner and NASCAR Hall of Fame member David Pearson, racing the livery of the Holman-Moody Racing Ford Tornio Cobra that Pearson raced to his third and final NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1969; 50 years ago, and the same year that Pearson became a Shriner.  The hood features a photo of Pearson during his Hall of Fame career and a photo of him in his Shriner fez.  The remainder of the car will have the Shriners Hospitals for Children logos with the 1969 Holman-Moody metallic blue and gold scheme.
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Ragan, Front Row Motorsports and the Shriners wanted to recognize Pearson at the track where he found so much success.  Pearson is a 10-time winner at Darlington Raceway and won the Southern 500 three times.  In 1969, Pearson raced the Holman-Moody gold and blue Ford Tornio Cobra to 11 wins, 14 poles and to his third championship over his rival, Richard Petty.  Off the track, Pearson gave back to his community through the Shriners - a practice that Ragan carries on today. 
"I don't know how many more times I'll race in the Cup Series with a Shriners Hospitals for Children paint scheme, but this one will be most the most special thus far," said Ragan.  "This is such a great weekend for our sport in general, but to host a patient, other Shriners and race with the memory of one of my heroes in David Pearson, it's going to be extra memorable for me."
 
"I really can't thank Shriners Hospitals for Children enough for what they do," continued Ragan.  "I'm proud to be a Shriner and join my brotherhood in giving back to the patients and give them a special day at the track.  I must thank Bob Jenkins and Front Row Motorsports for joining us in the same efforts, too.  It's a total team effort."
 
Prior to the race weekend, Ragan will visit the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville, S.C.  Ragan will host the No. 38 Shriners Hospitals for Children car, sign autographs, take photos and spend time with the patients.
 
Ragan has been a member of Shriners International since 2012 and serves as its NASCAR ambassador.  He visits Shriners Hospitals during the race season and raises awareness and funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children through various campaigns, public service announcements, donations and activities. Earlier this year, Ragan auctioned off his 2018 Shiners Hospitals for Children race car at the Barrett-Jackson auction.  The winning bid, made by Rick Steele of Select Blinds, raised $300,000 for the Hospitals. 
 
Shriners Hospitals for Children provides specialized care to children with orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns and cleft lip and palate regardless of the families' ability to pay.
 
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Learn more at
shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
 
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. 
 
About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields three full-time entries - the No. 34 of Michael McDowell, the No. 36 of Matt Tifft and the No. 38 of David Ragan - from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. The team's partnership base includes CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Ford Performance, Love's Travel Stops, Select Blinds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Surface and Speedco. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.
 
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 14, 2019) - David Ragan and Front Row Motorsports announced today that Ragan will step away from full-time NASCAR competition after this season. Ragan will continue to race on a part-time basis in NASCAR and other series at his desire.
 
Ragan, 33, began competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2007 with Roush Fenway Racing after finding success in the now NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. He has 457 starts in the premier Cup Series heading into this weekend's race with a total of two wins, 40 Top-10 and 15 Top-five finishes. Ragan's last Cup win was the first for Front Row Motorsports. He also has two poles in the Cup series.
 
These stats accompany two wins in the Xfinity Series and one win the ARCA Menards Series. In addition, Ragan was the 2007 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year.
 
A statement from Ragan:
 
"I've prayed and heavily considered this decision, but for myself and my family, I believe this is the right thing to do. I am a husband and a father to two young girls first, and I am a driver second. To compete in what I consider the greatest series in the world, you need full dedication of your time and focus. My children are growing up quickly, and I want to concentrate my time in being the best father and husband I can be. I feel this is where God is leading my life, and therefore I'm making this decision.
 
"There aren't enough words to thank everyone who has helped me in my career and to all the fans who have supported me in this journey. It's not over, but I'm ready to spend more time at home."
 
A statement from Bob Jenkins, owner, Front Row Motorsports:
 
"We admire David for making what I'm sure was a very difficult decision. We also commend him for his reason. David has always put family first, and as a father, I understand what it's like to not be at that game or big event for your child. Throughout his time at Front Row Motorsports, David has always gone beyond what was asked of him- or even volunteering his own time to help grow our team. Now it's time for him to give some of that back to his family and we totally support that. Our doors are always open for David and we'll miss seeing him every week."
The team will announce the driver plans of the No. 38 Ford Mustang team when ready.

Media Note: David Ragan will be available for additional comments in the Bristol Motor Speedway Media Center on Friday, August 16 at 10:15 a.m.

About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields three full-time entries - the No. 34 of Michael McDowell, the No. 36 of Matt Tifft and the No. 38 of David Ragan - from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. The team's partnership base includes CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Ford Performance, Love's Travel Stops, Select Blinds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tunity, Surface and Speedco. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.
 
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Front Row Motorsports Contacts:

Lynn Sudik 
Media and Public Relations Manager, Front Row Motorsports
Mobile: 215-208-7032
E-Mail: lsudik@frontrowmotorsports.com

Mac MacLeod
Media and Public Relations Manager, David Ragan
Mobile: 704-860-1154
E-Mail: mmacleod@frontrowmotorsports.com