Front Row Motorsports announced early Friday morning that Landon Cassill will return to the 2017 NASCAR premier series, driving the No. 34 Ford, and David Ragan will rejoin the organization in 2017 driving the No. 38 Ford.
Both drivers have previous experience at Front Row Motorsports. During the 2016 season, Cassill completed his first season with the team, earning seven top-20 finishes. Cassill completed 98% of the laps run and finished the season as the only premier series driver with a single DNF (Did Not Finish) for the season. The 2017 season will mark Cassill’s eighth year competing at NASCAR’s highest level.
David Ragan will return to Front Row Motorsports after driving the No. 23 BK Racing Toyota during the 2016 season. Ragan is a familiar face at Front Row Motorsports, after affording them their first premier series win at Talladega Superspeedway in 2013. Ragan has competed in NASCAR’s highest division for the past ten years, and has scored two wins, 15-top five and 36 top-10 finishes, along with two poles.
Team owner, Bob Jenkins, spoke highly of both drivers. “These are two hard-working guys, both in the car and away from the car working with our partners. We went out and got Landon last season because we knew he was talented and we wanted him in our racecar, and now we’re really happy he will be back another year.”
“And we’re really excited to have David back. He’s a big part of Front Row’s history, bringing us our first win. He’s got a lot of experience in his career- things that you can’t teach- that will be big assets to us and our partners.”
Ragan is looking forward to his return, saying, “It’s a nice homecoming, coming back to Front Row Motorsports. I’ve always had a great deal of respect for Bob Jenkins, how he put together his team and grew it the right way over the years. We’ve celebrated some pretty big highlights together, and now we need to go make more.”
Ragan also commented on his new teammate, Landon Cassill. “Landon was a great addition to the team last year. He’s a smart driver with a lot of good experience, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
This will be the first time that Ragan and Cassill have ever been teammates. Cassill commented on his new teammate, “I’m really looking forward to working with David. I’ve raced alongside him for years and respect him as a competitor. He has a ton of experience with different teams and manufacturers that will make him a great teammate. I’m really proud of what our team accomplished in 2016 in our first year together, and I’m really excited to go and build on that.”
During Ragan’s original tenure at Front Row Motorsports, he drove the No. 34 Ford. However, Cassill will be switching over to the No. 34 car this season, with Ragan fielding the No. 38 entry for Front Row Motorsports.
Ragan was asked about the switch on Sirius XM Trading Paint on Friday. “It’s a funny situation on how they were projecting on going into next year. They have known for a little while that Chris Buescher wouldn’t be back so they were already working Landon toward that No. 34 car. So, that’s just how it worked out. I think the No. 38 and the No. 34 both have great people, the same engines, the same race cars. I think with timing and sponsorship that’s the way it all worked out.”
Cassill made his own statement about switching cars on Friday via Facebook live. He considers this switch to be a “reinvention.”
Cassill stated, “Change is unrelenting, but inevitable. No matter what you do in life you’ll go through changes. This was my choice, a choice for my family, my team, my car owner, and a choice that recognizes the original Front Row Motorsports legacy. The number signifies a small team going to the big leagues…We’re here to evolve and inspire. I can’t wait for 2017, and I know we will find a fun, new, campaign, even better than 2016.”
The team will continue its technical alliance with Roush Fenway Racing in 2017, as well as its engine program with Roush Yates Engines.
