Front Row Motorsports pulled off something at Phoenix Raceway that you literally almost never see: all three of their cars finished inside the top 15 in Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500. This wasn’t some fluke or lucky break, it was a legitimate team effort that has everyone who pays attention buzzing about what this crew could do next.
History in the Desert and a Talladega Warning
Let’s break down the Phoenix magic. Noah Gragson, wheeling the No. 4 Ford, crossed the line in a solid 13th place. Right behind him was Todd Gilliland in the No. 34 Ford, grabbing 14th. And just to round out the historic day, Zane Smith, driving the No. 38 Ford, locked down 15th. This isn’t just a good day, folks, this is FRM making *team history* for the second time ever. NASCAR Insights on X even confirmed it: “This is the second time in Front Row Motorsports history they had three cars finish in the top 15: Phoenix , October 2026 Talladega , April 2026.” The only other time all three cars pulled this off? Yup, you guessed it: Talladega, back in April. So, what does that mean as the Cup Series rolls into Talladega Superspeedway this weekend? It means FRM has some serious momentum heading into the final drafting track race of the campaign. Watch out.
Stability, Consistency, and What It Means for FRM’s Future
This isn’t just a flash in the pan either. These drivers have shown flashes of serious talent all season, and the team has locked them down. With only three races left in the 2026 season, Todd Gilliland, driver of the No. 34, sits 23rd in the points standings. He’s snagged two top-10 finishes, including a best of sixth at Bristol in April. Plus, the dude won the second-ever In-Season Challenge, outlasting Ryan Blaney in the finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And get this: it was announced last July that Gilliland is staying with FRM in 2027.
Then you’ve got Zane Smith, 27 years old and piloting the No. 38. He’s 26th in the standings but has racked up two top-five finishes and six top-10 results, with a best finish of fourth at Naval Base Coronado. Smith signed a multi-year deal in 2025, so he’s locked in for next year too. Finally, Noah Gragson in the No. 4 is 31st in points, but he also has two top-10 finishes, including a ninth-place run at Talladega in April. There was some chatter about his future, but Gragson silenced those doubts by signing an extension last August. So, you’ve got a team with confirmed stability and drivers showing they can run up front. That’s a dangerous combination!
The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Talladega Superspeedway this Sunday for the Yellawood 500. Coverage kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on NBC or the Motor Racing Network. Can FRM repeat their Talladega magic from April and keep this incredible momentum rolling? You’d be crazy to bet against them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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