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The Sports Network
Statesville, NC (Sports Network) - David Ragan will drive the No.34 Ford for
Front Row Motorsports during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season, the team
announced on Monday.
Ragan drove the No.6 car for Roush Fenway Racing in Sprint Cup the past five
years but was released after the 2011 season when the team ceased operations
due to lack of sponsorship, which had come from UPS. The 26-year-old from
Unadilla, GA pursued opportunities with Penske Racing, Phoenix Racing and
Richard Petty Motorsports before landing a ride with Front Row this year.
"Front Row has made great progress in the last few years, and I look forward
to helping them advance to the next level," Ragan said in a team statement. "I
think the team appreciates what I can bring to the table, and I think it's a
good opportunity for both of us. I've also enjoyed a long relationship with
Ford, and I'm glad that I'll get to keep working with them."
Last year, Ragan picked up his first win in NASCAR's premier series in the
July race at Daytona. He has also recorded 30 top-10 finishes in 182 starts in
the series. Ragan's career-best finish in Sprint Cup points is 13th, which
came in 2008. He ended the 2011 season 23rd in points.
Ragan will team with David Gilliland, who has been retained by Front Row to
drive its No.38 car.
Front Row, formed by restaurant and transportation entrepreneur Bob Jenkins,
has competed in Sprint Cup each year since 2005. The racing organization
elevated to full-time in the series in '09.
"I am committed to building a competitive race team by employing the same
fundamental business principles that have worked for my other successful
endeavors, and it all begins with the people," Jenkins said. "We took some
pretty big steps in our race program last year, and adding David Ragan is
another giant step in the right direction."
Front Row said in its news release that sponsorship for Ragan and Gilliland's
teams this season is being finalized and expected to be announced soon. Both
drivers are guaranteed a starting position in the February 26 season-opening
Daytona 500 due to owner points from last season.
The Sports Network