"Above my pay grade" - FRM's Todd Gilliland voices opinion on NASCAR's antitrust legal fight

NASCAR: Cup Practice and Qualifying - Source: Imagn
Todd Gilliland at the Cook Out 400 from Richmond Raceway - Source: Imagn

Todd Gilliland weighed in on Front Row Motorsports’ ongoing antitrust legal fight against NASCAR. The driver acknowledged that joining the 2025 grid without a charter wouldn’t be ideal, but he stands with the team and is focused on improving his performance on track.

Now in his third NASCAR Cup Series season, Todd Gilliland is one of the two drivers for Front Row Motorsports. The 24-year-old driver pilots the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse alongside the No. 34 car of Michael McDowell.

Speaking with veteran NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, Gilliland expressed solidarity with Front Row Motorsports amid challenges of possibly competing without a charter next season.

“Biggest thing for me that our team is trying to stress is, to all employees, is just to keep your head down. Fight the battles that we’re fighting,” Gilliland said. “Biggest thing I’m trying to push in the shop, to all our employees is that just stay focused and keep moving forward.”

The North Carolina native continued by saying the team executives reassured them the team would keep racing.

“The best part about it is that our team owner, management, everybody said that we’re going to continue racing.”

When asked about his approach to the ongoing antitrust legal fight, Todd Gilliland said:

“I’ve been trying to keep up with both sides. Obviously, you guys are writing tons of articles, it’s huge. It is one of the biggest things that happened in our sports in a long time so I’ve been reading everything, trying to be, I guess educated on it all… from our side, from the broader picture, everything. For me, it’s above my pay grade.” [1:17]

Front Row Motorsports is joined by 23XI Racing in the lawsuit battle against NASCAR. The two teams sued the stock car racing league for alleged monopolistic practices and unfair bargaining opportunities with the teams for the new charter deals, which the other teams had already signed.


Todd Gilliland agreed to a multi-year extension with Front Row Motorsports

In June, Front Row Motorsports announced a multi-year extension with Todd Gilliland. This means he would be one of the three drivers under FRM along with future teammate Noah Gragson.

In a statement by Gilliland, the No. 38 driver said:

"I want to be at Front Row Motorsports, and I want to be a part of what’s happening right now. This is the time to join as a partner, a fan, and watch our next chapter. It’s really cool to see it all happening."

He added:

"I have to thank Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze(FRM GM) for their commitment in taking the steps to make us a consistent winning and playoff organization. It’s never easy, but I feel confident in our direction. I’m excited to see what the future holds."

Todd Gilliland’s third teammate for the expanded third seat is still unknown. However, Zane Smith has been the top candidate to land the drive for next season.

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Edited by Tushar Bahl
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