Why are the Front Row cars so slow?

[Johnson #48]

Just wondering why Front Row are so uncompetitive. I know they're not going to win a race but compared to comparable teams like Robby Gordon (with Robby driving anyway) Germain, Furniture Row, the Wood Brothers and even some of the S'n'P teams (notably Latitude 43) when they try, Front Row always seems to be running at the very back, the last ones to finish. Why is this?

 

[RogerD83]

They are'nt based in Charlotte like the rest of the teams are and being out in Denver, they don't have the access to the information and the developement that the other teams do as well as the lower budget.

 

[instantCLASSIC]

They are'nt based in Charlotte like the rest of the teams are and being out in Denver, they don't have the access to the information and the developement that the other teams do as well as the lower budget.

That's Furniture Row Racing that's based out of Denver. He's asking about Front Row (34,37,38) and frankly I think its just because they're a startup team without any real support from a major team. Another problem is they're stretched too thin. They run 3 cars (probably for purse money), when they only need to run 2 cars. Take it down a notch, and work on performance, then you'll probably see better results.

 

[denyerfan]

I'd be guessing the chassis are old (like 2007 old) and they just update them occasionally

I don't know what engines they're running but with their budget it wouldn't be a level 1 deal they're on - so they'd be down on HP too.

Take that combo to a place like New Hampshire or Kansas (or anywhere for that matter) and Dale Senior could hardly finish better than a couple laps down.

 

[Hendrick9Fan]

Yeah it's probably because the engines and chassis are old.

 

[MattSRD28]

Front Row is running 3 teams on less than half the budget that one Roush or Hendrick team runs on.

 

[Chevellion]

Old Yates equipment + no sponsorship money = backmarker team

The sponsors you see on the cars every week (Long John Silvers, A&W, Taco Bell, etc) are just restaurant chains owned by the team owner Bob Jenkins. They really don't have much (if any) sponsor revenue supporting the team.

 

[JRRacing64]

Have you been watching the last two races? Regan Smith got a 12th at California and a 13th at Charlotte. I hardly consider that running in the back...

 

[Jordan Robson]

He's not talking about Furniture Row.....

 

[JRRacing64]

He's not talking about Furniture Row.....

I'll save everyone the trouble........ I Failed in this thread, lol! I don't know why I was thinking of Furniture row, lol.

 

[Markfan]

I wonder if part of the reason Front Row doesn't get sponsors is because companies actually think that they are fully sponsored by Yum! Brands . . . . . .

 

[John Gregorio]

That wouldn't make a difference. If a sponsor is interested, they'll pay to get on the car, regardless if there is something already on the car. However when you run dead last every week - who wants to give money to a loser?

 

[denyerfan]

Just because you're running a blank car doesn't exactly attract anything either!

Look at Joe - he could probably qualify top 20 and run top 20 everyweek.


This may be a harsh statement - but sometimes I feel some guys don't try hard enough with sponsors.

 

[undedavenger]

Just because you're running a blank car doesn't exactly attract anything either!

Look at Joe - he could probably qualify top 20 and run top 20 everyweek.


This may be a harsh statement - but sometimes I feel some guys don't try hard enough with sponsors.

I totally agree! Kasey Kahne and Dale Jr. are perfect examples. They can both put together solid runs when they have to, but run mediocre the rest of the time. Kasey's is due to not wanting to be in his ride, but Jr. seems to just not care. One of these days, his t-shirt sales will slow down as people get tired of it and switch to other drivers, and Hendrick will can his butt. When it ultimately comes down to it, Rick Hendrick cares about championships, not popularity.

 

[Jordan Robson]

I totally agree! Kasey Kahne and Dale Jr. are perfect examples. They can both put together solid runs when they have to, but run mediocre the rest of the time. Kasey's is due to not wanting to be in his ride, but Jr. seems to just not care. One of these days, his t-shirt sales will slow down as people get tired of it and switch to other drivers, and Hendrick will can his butt. When it ultimately comes down to it, Rick Hendrick cares about championships, not popularity.

lol. I'm not even going to give a dignified response to this.

All I'll say is that Kahne has ran his heart out for that team, and has held up his end of the bargain every year he's ran. RPM hasn't.

Anyways, before we completely hijack this thread... Front Row Motorsports has done pretty solid for being a 3 car team (having 3 cars does hurt that program), Gilliland has ran pretty solid as of late in the 38 car.

 

[MattSRD28]

Hendrick's not stupid. He knows that Jr. is currently underwriting a good part of his organization. As long as that's going on, he and Jr. can wait & hope performance picks up someday for as long as it takes.