FRM WWTR Race Recap

ARRMA RC Blasts Smith to Ninth in Truck Series Race

WISE-EV Powers McDowell to Career Best Laps Led

Gilliland Takes First Phase Ride to 22nd at WWT Raceway

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Front Row Motorsports (FRM) raced in the "gateway to the west" this past weekend at the WWT Raceway in Madison, Illinois- just outside of St. Louis. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series was familiar with the facility, but it was the inaugural race for the NASCAR Cup Series.

It was whirlwind week and weekend for Zane Smith. Smith was called upon by RFK Racing to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the Chris Buescher No. 17 ride after he was sidelined with COVID. Smith had a double duty weekend with the truck race on Saturday and the Cup race on Sunday.

News got even better for Smith when partner Horizon Hobby and its ARRMA RC brand announced a limited edition, replica RC body of the No. 38 ARRMA RC Ford F-150 that Smith raced on Saturday. Smith was excited for the announcement.

"As a kid, I loved racing RC cars," said Smith. "Now, to have one with my name on it, that's just awesome."

Back on the track with ARRMA, Smith started on the front row for Saturday's 160-lap race. Smith finished Stage One in fourth and Stage Two in 10th. Smith then took the lead on Lap 81 and held it for 16 laps before a caution came out. Smith and the ARRMA team made a pit stop for tires and fuel. Working his way back to the front, Smith cut a tire and fell two laps down. The team made up the two laps and Smith ended the race with his ninth top-10 finish of the season. He stayed third in the regular season championship chase and still leads the playoff standings.

"It's another top-10 for this team, but we deserved better," said Smith. "It's just hard to pass at that track and we cut a tire racing hard. I'm thankful for the guys for getting me back in the top-10 at the end. We all worked hard. It was a crazy weekend, but it was so great, too. Thanks to Front Row Motorsports, ARRMA RC and everyone who made it a special. Now it's time to head home to California this weekend to get another road course win."

Todd Gilliland took time last week to see music artist Morgan Wallen in Charlotte. Gilliland was ready with his outfit provided by Boot Barn. Something he appreciated.

"It's pretty cool that when we go out that Boot Barn has me hooked up," said Gilliland. "I looked good and we had a great time at the concert. I can't wait until the next concert and a new outfit from Boot Barn."

At the track, Gilliland had all his focus on his First Phase Ford Mustang. He came into the WWT Raceway with experience and two runner-up finishes at the track in the truck series. That confidence put him 22nd in qualifying. It was also where he finished.

Gilliland was tight during the race, but all driver struggled to pass or make up track position. Crew Chief Seth Barbour made a great call to get Gilliland and the First Phase team into the top-15 in Stage Two and Gilliland held the track position. The team just lost some of those positions on pit road and Gilliland maintained 22nd until the end.

"We didn't go backward all day, but we really didn't make it up into the top-10 like we wanted," said Gilliland. "I think a few small things differently, either on pit road or with another adjustment, and we are up there with Michael, Brad and Zane. Michael had an awesome day, but the rest of us raced around each other for most of the day. It was tough to pass so you had to be perfect. We were close, but needed to be a little better."

Michael McDowell and his career year continued at the WWT Raceway on Sunday. The WISE-EV driver led a career high 34 laps in Stage Two, and was en route to the stage win before a caution came out and the team had to pit.

McDowell was in the top-10 for the majority of the race, but lost track position at the end to finish 18th. The team executed great on pit road, but track position was everything on Sunday.

McDowell is still averaging an 18th-place result this season- that is two positions higher than last year. He is determined to continue to work on the new car setup and even better results.

"The fans were awesome, and it's a fun track, but it's hard to pass," said McDowell. "We had older tires and had the field beat in Stage Two. But we just lost some of that position and grip. We have been working really hard on getting this setup right. We have made big gains. The speed has been there. We just needed to finish it out today, but it takes nothing away from the hard work, leading laps, and knowing that we're really close with this car. We know that we can be ultra competitive with the top guys. We proved that today. That's a lot of credit to Blake and this team."

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ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports. -30- TEAM CONTACTS: Michael McDowell John Dragonetti E-mail: jdragonetti@frontrowmotorsports.com Mobile: 704-578-9937 Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith Chris Murdock Mobile: 740-861-4534 E-Mail: cmurdock@frontrowmotorsports.com