NASCAR Rumors: Bob Pockrass hints at FRM's third driver options as Sam Mayer's HFT move alters Cup grid

The Bob Jenkins-owned team, Front Row Motorsports (FRM), announced this year that they will add a third car to their Cup Series lineup for the 2025 season. NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass recently hinted at potential drivers for FRM's third car in 2025.

Front Row Motorsports currently fields two full-time Cup Series entries driven by Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland. The team will expand to three cars in 2025 by acquiring a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Noah Gragson will replace McDowell next season, while the driver of the third car remains unannounced.

The speculation about who will fill the new spot at FRM continues. In a recent tweet, Pockrass mentioned that Zane Smith and Chandler Smith are possible choices for FRM's third car.

Zane Smith currently races full-time for Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series and part-time in the Truck Series with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. However, he is on the lookout for a Cup Series ride, as Michael McDowell will replace him in the No. 71 car next year. Smith won the Truck Series championship in 2022 and has also competed in the Xfinity Series and Stadium Super Trucks.

Chandler Smith, on the other hand, had a strong start to the 2024 Xfinity Series season but has struggled in recent times. There are rumors that Smith could leave his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 81 car for a chance at FRM' third Cup Series seat.

Fox Sports reporter, Pockrass previously believed Zane Smith and Sam Mayer were two potential candidates for the third seat at Front Row Motorsports.

However, the Haas Factory Team recently signed Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer to drive their Xfinity Series cars for the next season. Creed will drive the No. 00 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, while Mayer will drive the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

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FRM's multi-year deal with Noah Gragson

Noah Gragson will join Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season on a multiyear contract. The 26-year-old is moving from Stewart-Haas Racing, which is closing at the end of 2024.

“I think Noah, he’s a likable guy for sure and brings a big personality to the team and the energy and I think people are just excited to know that. Filling the void of Michael McDowell leaving is hard without a doubt and so Noah coming in, somebody that people are excited about, kind of a very different personality than where Michael is in his life, I think is definitely just brought a real spirit to the shop and I think people are just excited to get to know Noah and get to work,” Jerry Freeze (FRM General Manager) said on the signing.

Gragson and Gilliland will reunite as teammates at Front Row Motorsports in 2025. The duo previously raced together at Kyle Busch Motorsports from 2017 to 2018.