Todd Gilliland to take over in No. 34 car after Michael McDowell joins Spire Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports announced Tuesday that Todd Gilliland will pilot the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stop Ford in 2025.

Gilliland will make the move from the No. 38 car to the flagship No. 34, vacated by Michael McDowell who signed with Spire Motorsports.

We’re excited to have @ToddGilliland_ join the No. 34 Love’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse! Following his father David’s legacy, Todd is bringing the iconic Love’s colors back to the track. Let’s make this 2025 season one to remember! @Team_FRM @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/wZboNwDVrq

— Love’s Travel Stops (@LovesTravelStop) November 19, 2024

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Love’s, entering its 13th season with Front Row, previously sponsored Todd Gilliland’s father, David Gilliland, in the 2013 Daytona 500. David Gilliland spent seven seasons total with Front Row and a handful for Love’s, giving the company its first-ever top five finish.

“It is really humbling to race the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang beginning next season,” Gilliland said. “It’s just another cool moment in my career to race for a company that represented my father at FRM. The No. 34 Ford is what started FRM in the Cup Series, and there is a lot of history with Love’s, FRM and my family. I still remember watching my dad race the Love’s Ford.

“I did not take this next step lightly. I have seen the rise of the team and the new level of expectations. It is an honor that Love’s is putting their trust in me to continue to grow the team and compete for wins and get into the playoffs. I am gracious for this opportunity and look forward to 2025.”

Todd Gilliland involved in 2025 driver lineup shakeup

Following McDowell’s departure, Gilliland, 24, is Front Row’s longest tenured driver, having been with the team since 2022. Gilliland slightly outperformed McDowell in 2024, finishing a career-best 22nd in the points standings, while the latter came in 23rd. He tallied four top 10s (Talladega, Sonoma, Chicago Street Race, Indianapolis).

As of now, Gilliland’s lone teammate at Front Row next season is Noah Gragson. Front Row has yet to announce if Gragson will step into the No. 38 car. Front Row purchased a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, though a driver announcement has yet to be made. The expectation is that Zane Smith, previously of Spire, will join Front Row.

Front Row, alongside 23XI Racing, are notably in the middle of an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. Both Front Row and 23XI will compete as open teams next season after removed anticompetitive release claims, thus allowing them to race while the legal process continues.

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