Front Row Brings Back Ragan, Gilliland

The dominoes are starting to fall into place as to next year's lineup of drivers, with the news that Front Row Motorsports will retain drivers David Ragan and David Gilliland.

The pair made Front Row history in May with a dramatic, last-lap dash to the checkers at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for a 1-2 Ragan-Gilliland finish and the team's first-ever NASCAR victory.  The two drivers have also combined to earn the team's highest championship points standings in its five years of full-time Sprint Cup Series racing.

"This has been a milestone year for us, and we're extremely happy that two of the guys who helped get us here will be back next year," said team owner Bob Jenkins. "We're improving our race program, attracting more sponsors, and setting and achieving higher and higher goals each year.  Having David and David, our one-two punch, back in those cars next year is central to continuing our growth and improvement."

The 2014 season will be Front Row Motorsports' fifth year teaming with Gilliland and its third with Ragan.  The 27-year-old Ragan will return to the cockpit of the No. 34 entry and the 37-year-old Gilliland will once again pilot the No. 38.

"Getting that first win for Front Row this year was huge," said Ragan, who has two wins in his Sprint Cup Series career.  "But we made a lot of other improvements that maybe didn't get the big headlines, like qualifying better and stepping up our mile-and-a-half program, that have made a big difference in our performance every week."

"This is definitely not the same team I came to five years ago," said Gilliland, an eight-year Sprint Cup veteran with two career-best second-place finishes. "We've made big strides across the board, and I'm proud to have been a part of that progress.  Now that we have almost a full year working with this Generation-6 car under our belt, I think the potential for next year is even greater for us."

The Furniture Row team has yet to choose a driver, though it is thought Martin Truex Jr. will be first choice. Jeff Burton still has not found a home, officially, but could have something to announce soon. Otherwise, the cupboard is almost full.