Front Row Motorsports Takes on the Tricky Triangle

Pocono Raceway Competition Notes

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TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Front Row Motorsports prepares for the Tricky Triangle at the Pocono Raceway this weekend.

Coming off of a 5th place finish at the Chicago Street Race, Michael McDowell and company look to carry the momentum to The Tricky Triangle in search of a win to lock themselves into the 2024 playoff field. Along with the momentum, McDowell will carry a new look to his No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, debuting a new Gunk scheme.

For more than 60 years of American heritage, Gunk has taken on the grease and grime of the garage to earn the trust of trade professionals, weekend wrenchers, and auto enthusiasts alike. Gunk's formulas evolve as vehicles do, and their product portfolio grows as their customers' needs change. Gunk is dedicated to developing performance-driven products and innovative solutions that help their customers take on the toughest cleaning challenges.

McDowell is no stranger to the 2.5-mile triangle oval, he has two Top-10s including his best-career finish sixth in 2022.

Making his third Cup Series start at the Tricky Triangle, Todd Gilliland looks to improve on his 15th place finish last year. He will also bring a new partner to his No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, partnering with C.H. Reed for the 160-lap event.

A mid-Atlantic distributor of Chicago Pneumatic Compressors with 75+ years of experience, C.H. Reed is an industrial distribution and service provider for compressed air systems and equipment, paint and powder finishing systems, and fluid handling and process equipment. C.H. Reed has helped industrial businesses and manufacturing companies throughout PA, MD, DE, VA, WV, OH, MI, and NY find value-adding opportunities that enhance processes, increase energy savings, lessen environmental impacts, increase equipment reliability & quality, decrease maintenance spend, and help boost worker safety.

After a short break from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series action, Layne Riggs and the team look to bounce back after a difficult Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway race. Riggs, who is making his debut at the 2.5-mile track, will also debut a new Patriotic paint scheme on the No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150. Riggs leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings, sitting 16th in Driver Points and just 80 points below the playoff cutline.

It will be a one-day show for the Truck Series with practice and qualifying on Friday, July 12th at 2:00 pm ET. The CRC Brakleen 175 is schedule for later that evening at 5:30 pm ET. Fans can watch the race live on FS1 or listen in from the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM channel 90. The Cup Series will kick off their weekend with practice and qualifying on Saturday, July 13th at 12:00 pm ET. Sunday’s 400-mile event is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET and will be televised live on USA Network. Fans can also listen in on the action from the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM channel 90.

CUP SERIES COMPETITION NOTES:

No. 34 GUNK Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL: 

"Through the first months of our summer stretch we have continued to perform well. We have put together results that we know we are capable of. With that, comes the next step of getting that win. I think we have more confidence at Pocono because of our recent runs. It's also a good weekend for us with having GUNK on our Ford Mustang, the car looks great and can’t wait to get it out on track."

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

"The win we need is feeling closer and closer. Hopefully, we can take the Top-5 at Chicago and turn it into a few spots better this week. Michael has had several good runs at Pocono over the years and its usually an interesting strategy race. We should be able to bring a fast car and use some strategy to put us in contention."

No. 38 C.H. Reed Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

"I have always liked the challenge of Pocono, the track is so different than anything else we race at. I have a couple starts at Pocono in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and have had some good results there, I just need to take those experiences and put them into the Cup car. I think I can do that this weekend.

"I'm excited to carry the C.H. Reed brand this weekend, they are a significant distributer and great ambassador for Chicago Pneumatic Compressors and it's an honor to represent them at Pocono. Hopefully I can give them a good showing."

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

"We're really excited about our Top-10 finish in Chicago. The Summer stretch gets tough and it's easy to get burnt out, but the team has been hammering away to bring speed to the track and the results show. Todd (Gilliland) did great in Chicago, we just have to build on that momentum and capitalize on it."

"It's cool to see Chicago Pneumatic Compressors bring in another one of their distributors this year to highlight the strong partnerships they have together. They brought an awesome scheme to Charlotte with Warthog and doubled down to bring a sleek one to Pocono. Hopefully we can get them in Victory Lane."

TRUCK SERIES COMPETITION NOTES:

No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150:

DRIVER LAYNE RIGGS:

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of Pocono. It's another one of those tracks that I have never raced at before, so sim time and studying film has been extra important. We have shown a lot of speed these past couple of races, we just haven't been able to get the finishes we deserve, but I have a good feeling about Pocono. We're actually bringing the same chassis that we had at Darlington. I know it will be fast, we just have to execute and run a clean race.

"Infinity Communications brought the heat with this paint scheme. It's awesome. As an American company, Fourth of July is an important holiday for them and it's an honor to carry this scheme. Hopefully I can show it off with a solid performance and result."

CREW CHIEF DYLAN CAPPELLO:

"Pocono will definitely be a challenge, they don't call it The Tricky Triangle for nothing. We're prepared though. We had a week in between Nashville and Pocono to double check everything and make sure we're bringing our best to the track. I'm confident we'll have speed, we just have to execute and stay out of trouble."