Post-Race Report: Daytona

February 18, 2020News,NASCAR Cup Series

No. 38 CITGARD Ford Mustang
Started: 23rd
Finished: 11th
  • Stage One: 15th
  • Stage Two: 23rd
  • Stage Three: 11th
  • John Hunter Nemechek started his first Daytona 500 in 25th place. However, he was not able to run many laps as a full-time Cup Series driver before the skies opened up and the race was postponed until Monday. After a nearly 24-hour rain delay, Nemechek restarted the race in 37th place. He pitted once the engines had been refired for fuel and four tires. The focus for much of Stage 1 was to keep out of trouble, staying towards the back of the pack. After a caution on lap 58, Nemechek pitted for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment on Lap 60, hoping to alleviate a tight-handling racecar. By the end of the stage, Nemechek managed to make his way up to P15 and pitted under the stage break caution to take fuel only.
  • As the sun set on a warm day in Daytona, the handling of Nemechek’s No. 38 CITGARD Ford improved. He, along with David Ragan and teammate Michael McDowell, settled in around mid-pack for the remainder of Stage 2, where Nemechek finished P23.
  • Nemechek managed to keep his nose clean until Lap 184 when he was involved in a wreck and hit from behind, sending him into the wall. He sustained damage to the deck lid and splitter. Nemechek also sustained possible tow damage, which likely caused the car to handle much tighter and made the steering wheel difficult to turn. With repairs from the No. 38 CITGARD crew, he was able to stay on the lead lap for the last 15 laps of the race. Nemechek finished P11 after navigating a scary crash at the front of the field on the final lap.
Nemechek on Daytona: "It was a great way to start off my Rookie year in the Cup Series. We had a solid day in our No. 38 CITGARD Ford Mustang, being able to stay out of trouble early. We eventually got caught up in one wreck late in the race but still managed to get a solid P11 day after the guys were able to fix the car. We made the most with what we had today. We were hoping for a little bit better result but, overall it was a good way to start the points off for our Front Row Motorsports team. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan Newman, his family and our teammates at Roush Fenway after that awful wreck. I was very relieved to hear that his injuries were not life-threatening."

by jnemechek

Fire Alarm Services Announces New Partnership with Front Row Motorsports

February 3, 2020News,NASCAR Cup Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 3, 2020) - Fire Alarm Services, Inc. (FAS), a leader in fire, life safety, and security services, will team up with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and the No. 38 Ford Mustang team driven by John Hunter Nemechek in 2020. FAS will serve as the primary partner for the Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year contender at Martinsville Speedway in May, Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July, Daytona International Speedway in August and the season finale at Phoenix Raceway in November. The brand will also be a major associate partner on Nemechek's No. 38 Ford throughout the season.

Based in Colorado, FAS provides a single, streamlined source for all fire alarm, electrical, security and fire suppression needs. The organization provides service on a wide range of systems in all 50 states and employs the finest service technicians in the industry. FAS has been a supporter of Nemechek since 2016, serving as his partner in several NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoor Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Races throughout the 22-year-old's career.
"We're thrilled to take our investment with John Hunter to Front Row Motorsport and the NASCAR Cup Series," said Shannon Smith, Owner, FAS. "He has continued to impress us both in the car and away from the track and we're looking forward to his first full year in the Cup series."
"I'm thrilled to see FAS come on board with Front Row Motorsports this year," said Nemechek. "They have been a key part of my successful climb to the top level of our sport and I'm so thankful for the relationship that we've been able to build. Shannon and Connie Smith have high expectations for their customers and products and I'm glad that they continue to see us as part of that."

For more information about FAS, visit fasonline.cc.

About FAS

Fire Alarm Services, Inc. prides ourselves on providing our customers with one source for all of their fire alarm, electrical, security and fire suppression needs. We provide service on a wide range of systems and employ the finest service technicians in the industry. Fire Alarm Services, Inc. services Colorado and provides service coordination in all 50 states..
About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields two full-time entries - the No. 34 of Michael McDowell and the No. 38 of John Hunter Nemechek - from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. In 2020, the team announced an expansion to include the No. 38 Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series, driven by Todd Gilliland. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

by jnemechek

CITGO Petroleum Corporation to Back John Hunter Nemechek in Rookie Season

January 28, 2020News,NASCAR Cup Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 28, 2020) - CITGARD, a member of the CITGO Petroleum Corporation family of brands, will return to Front Row Motorsports (FRM) for the 2020 season, expanding its partnership on the No. 38 Ford Mustang driven by NASCAR Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year contender, John Hunter Nemechek.

As a part of its expanded partnership, CITGARD will serve as the primary partner of Nemechek in his Daytona 500 debut in February. CITGARD will then return to the No. 38 Ford Mustang and Nemechek as the primary partner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, Michigan International Speedway in August, Bristol Motor Speedway in September and the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October. The brand will also be featured as an Associate Sponsor throughout the season.
"CITGO Petroleum is an iconic brand in NASCAR," said John Hunter Nemechek.  "Growing up in NASCAR, everyone knows the colors of CITGO and the past two seasons the CITGARD brand has brought the company back into the sport with FRM.  It's awesome to join their team and carry on their tradition and winning history.  I can't wait to represent CITGARD in the Daytona 500.  There is no better race to start this relationship."
CITGO Petroleum Corporation first teamed up with FRM with its CITGARD brand in 2018 at Darlington Raceway, which led to a three-race partnership in 2019.  Continued success both on- and off-track, along with positive feedback from fans, led to an increased commitment with FRM in 2020.
"Our customers are NASCAR fans and have showed their support since our return to NASCAR with Front Row Motorsports over the past two seasons," said Brian Paulson, General Manager, Lubricants, CITGO Petroleum Corporation. "We are expanding our relationship in 2020 and including the sport's biggest day, the Daytona 500.  We will be there with John Hunter Nemechek, who is a proven winner in every series he's competed in coming up to the Cup Series. We're looking forward to another successful season."
Fritz Sports & Event Enterprises will again oversee the partnership
"I'm thankful for everyone's support in making this partnership between Front Row Motorsports, John Hunter Nemechek and CITGARD a reality for 2020," said Fritz Sports & Event Enterprises CEO Doug Fritz. " CITGO has had a great relationship with Front Row Motorsports over the last couple of years and we are looking forward to an increased presence of CITGARD on the track throughout the upcoming season."
About CITGARD
CITGARD Synthetic Blend Engine Oils deliver the performance needed for newer engine designs while improving performance in older engines. It is engineered with proprietary additive technology that protects engines running at higher operating temperatures and higher fuel injection pressures, while meeting tighter wear limits and lower emission requirements. CITGARD 700 is a new generation of engine oils that support the Phase II fuel efficiency standards which are driving the need for even more fuel efficient heavy duty engine oils combined with excellent wear protection and engine durability.
About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields two full-time entries - the No. 34 of Michael McDowell and the No. 38 of John Hunter Nemechek - from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. In 2020, the team announced an expansion to include the No. 38 Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series, driven by Todd Gilliland. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports

by jnemechek

Homestead-Miami Recap

November 18, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

START: 6th
FINISH: 6th
POINTS: 7th

Notes & Quotes:
- Nemechek started the race from the 6th-position and made his way into the fifth-position to finish out Stage One. The GMS Racing team elected for Nemechek not to pit. Nemechek raced within the top-10 to finish Stage Two in the seventh-position. Nemechek came to pit road for four tires, fuel, and a wedge adjustment and restarted the final stage in the seventh-position. Racing in ninth-position a caution occurred on lap 124, Nemechek reported to the No. 23 team that he was free on exit and came to pit road for four tires and fuel. Still holding his position in the top-10, the GMS Racing team called for Nemechek to pit road under green with 39 laps to go for four tires and fuel and raced his way into the sixth-position where he finished the race.
-Nemechek accumulated six top-five's and 19 top-10's in his first full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
"Our goal was to finish the season strong and that's what we did. We had this strong momentum run too late though, we didn't finish lower than sixth-place the past four races or so. Overall, this year was a rollercoaster ride emotions but I think being a small single-car team, we did pretty well. I don't know what my future holds yet but I will always be grateful for the opportunity that Maury Gallagher gave me to run full-time for GMS. Thank you to all of my sponsors that made this year possible. I am grateful and cannot wait to see what's next for me."

by jnemechek

Homestead-Miami Preview

November 12, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

Homestead-Miami Xfinity Stats
1 start, 1 top-five, 1 top-10
Best Finish: 3rd (2018)

2019 Season Stats
32 starts, 6 top-five's and 18 top-10's

Notes:
- John Hunter Nemechek and GMS Racing will utilize chassis no. 223 this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This chassis has been ran five times this season by Nemechek. Twice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (start: 10th/finish: 2nd - Spring & start: 13th/finish: 8th - Fall), Charlotte Motor Speedway (start: 14th/finish: 12th), Kentucky Speedway (start: 11th/finish: 12th) and at Kansas Speedway (start: 15th/finish: 18th).
- Nemechek will compete in his third Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race in the No. 36 Front Row Motorsports entry. Texas Motor Speedway (start: 29th/finish: 21st) and ISM Raceway (start: 26th/finish: 27th).
- Nemechek has four NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In those four starts, he has one top-five, two top 10's and has led 24 laps.

Quotes:
"I'm excited to head to Homestead this weekend. We got the opportunity to go down and test there a few months back and I felt like it was really successful. We have been on a solid run streak for the last couple races and hopefully that momentum will carry over to the final race of the season and end it on a positive note. This season has been a roller-coaster ride of emotions so to finish strong for Maury (Gallagher, owner) and the GMS Racing guys would be a great way to end out the year."

by jnemechek

Phoenix Recap

November 12, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

START: 13th
FINISH: 4th
POINTS: 7th

Notes & Quotes:
- Nemechek started the race from the 13th-position and made his way into the ninth-position to finish out Stage One. The GMS Racing team called Nemechek to pit road to receive four tires, fuel and a track-bar adjustment after reporting to the team that he was free on exit. Nemechek started Stage Two from the 11th-position and worked his way up into the eighth-position where here finished Stage Two. During the Stage Two break, Nemechek reported back to the GMS Racing team that his Fire Alarm Services Chevrolet was tight. He came to pit-road for four-tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Nemechek restarted in the seventh-position for the Final Stage of the race. A caution occurred on lap 116, Nemechek came to pit road for the final time to receive four tires, fuel and a track-bar adjustment to help his No. 23 turn in Turns 3 and 4. With 70 laps to go, Nemechek broke into the top-10 and battled his way into the fourth-position, where he crossed the start-finish line.
- With the fourth-place finish at ISM Raceway, Nemechek scored the teams sixth top-five of the 2019 season. Nemechek was also the highest finishing rookie after his result.
"We had a pretty good weekend at ISM Raceway. I fired off decent and ended the first stage ninth and then finished the second stage eighth and then there at the end finished fourth. We made the right adjustments all day and I'm glad it went green because we had a long-run car, for sure, and if there would have been a caution I don't think we would have ended up fourth. Solid day overall and I can't thank everyone at GMS Racing and Maury Gallagher for giving me this opportunity. I'm looking to close out the end of the year strong."

by jnemechek

Phoenix Preview

November 6, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

Phoenix Xfinity Stats
2 starts, 2 top-10's, 1 pole
Best Finish: 9th (2018 & 2019)
2019 Season Stats
31 starts, 5 top-five's and 17 top-10's

Notes:
- John Hunter Nemechek and GMS Racing will utilize chassis no. 216 this weekend at ISM Raceway. This chassis has been ran six times this season by Nemechek at ISM Raceway (start: 13th/finish: 9th), Spring- Richmond Raceway (start: 11th/finish: 7th), Fall- Richmond Raceway (start: 38th/finish: 15th), Spring - Iowa Speedway (start: 6th/finish: 8th), Fall - Iowa Speedway (start: 14th/finish: 3rd), and at Bristol Motor Speedway (start: 9th/finish: 3rd).
- Nemechek will run in all three NASCAR Series this weekend at ISM Raceway. In the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series in the No. 8 entry for NEMCO Motorsports, NASCAR Xfinity Series in the No. 23 Chevrolet with GMS Racing and in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports in the No. 36 Ford Mustang.
- Last year, Nemechek collected his first Xfinity Series pole award at ISM Raceway in the Fall with Chip Ganassi Racing.
- Nemechek has six NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series starts at the ISM Raceway. In those six starts, he has two top-five's, four top 10's and has led 31 laps.

Quotes:
"It's going to be a busy weekend for me at Phoenix and I couldn't be more excited. I couldn't think of a better track to run triple-duty at. Since they moved the start-finish line to the old Turn 2, right before the tracks dog-leg, the restarts and finishes are insane. ISM Raceway always puts on a great show for the fans and I can't wait to be apart of all three events this weekend."

by jnemechek

Texas Recap

November 3, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

START: 11th
FINISH: 5th
POINTS: 9th

Notes & Quotes:
- Nemechek started the race from the 11th-position and battled his way into the top-five to finish Stage One in the fourth-position. During the Stage One caution, Nemechek came to pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments to help tighten his ROMCO Equipment Chevrolet after reporting back to the team that he was loose. Nemechek restarted from the seventh-position. After dropping back to the ninth-position, a caution occurred on lap 80 and the GMS Racing team elected not to pit, lining Nemechek up to restart from the fifth-position. Nemechek ended Stage Two in the fourth-position. Nemechek came to pit road under the Stage Two caution for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment placing him to restart in the 13th-position for the Final Stage. With five laps to go, Nemechek battled into the fifth-position and remained there until the end of the race.
- With the fifth-place finish at Texas, Nemechek scored the teams fifth top-five of the 2019 season. Nemechek was also the highest finishing rookie after his fifth-place result.
"We had a really strong No. 23 ROMCO Equipment Chevrolet all weekend. We made gains during practice, qualified decent and had a solid top-five finish. The GMS Racing team worked on the balance all race and got it where it needed to be. Our goal is to finish this season out with solid finishes and this weekend was a good start. Looking forward to the last two with this team."

by jnemechek

Texas Preview

October 30, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

Texas Xfinity Stats
2 starts, 1 top-five & 2 top-10's
Best Finish: 4th (2018)

2019 Season Stats
30 starts, 4 top-five's and 16 top-10's

Notes:
- Nemechek and the No. 23 team will utilize chassis no. 220. This chassis was raced once in the 2018 season by Chase Elliott at Bristol Motor Speedway (start: 15th/finish: 8th) and twice during the 2019 season by Nemechek at Texas Motor Speedway (start: 8th/finish: 9th) and at Michigan International Speedway (start: 8th/finish: 8th).
- Nemechek will be making his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) debut in the Front Row Motorsports No. 36 entry this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Nemechek will pilot the No. 36 for the remaining three races of the season due to Matt Tifft suffering from medical issues.

Quotes:
“I am excited to go to Texas for the second time with this GMS Racing group. We had a solid showing there in the spring and I hope we can follow that up this weekend with another strong run. With me running double-duty in both Cup and Xfinity, my weekend will be busy for sure. The more seat time the better is how I look at it though. We have ROMCO on the car this weekend over on the Xfinity side and I am always excited to represent their company again at their hometown track. They have been a long time supporter of my Dad and I's career so winning with their colors on the car and at Texas would be really special."

by jnemechek

Kansas Recap

October 21, 2019News,NASCAR XFINITY Series

START: 15th
FINISH: 8th
POINTS: 9th

Notes & Quotes:
- Nemechek started the race from the 15th-position and battled his way into the top-10 to finish Stage One in the ninth-position. During the Stage One caution, Nemechek came to pit road for four tires, fuel and an adjustment after reporting that his Chevrolet was getting tighter as the run went on, especially on exit. Nemechek battled within the top-10 majority of the second Stage but ended up finishing Stage Two in the 11th-position. On lap 164, Nemechek got loose off of Turn 2 causing him to spin and had to pit for right side tires and came back down pit road to put on left side tires. Nemechek battled back into the top-10 and ended up finishing in the eighth-position.
-Nemechek scores three top-10 finishes in a row with his eighth-place finish today at Kansas, his and the teams 16th top-10 of the 2019 season.
"I would say that we struggled speed wise most of the weekend. We were loose, we were tight, spun out, it was just an up and down day for us, a rollercoaster day of emotions for sure. I enjoy the next three tracks that we go to, so I'm hoping we can keep this top-10 momentum going and finish off the year strong for Maury (Gallagher, GMS Racing Owner) and the whole organization."

by jnemechek