The NASCAR Cup Series season begins with Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15. The Great American Race kicks off a 36-points paying schedule to determine the 2026 Champion.
An important aspect for any driver and team is sponsorship. Front Row Motorsports revealed who will be riding along with Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Ford when festivities start at the 2.5-mile tri-oval next month.
Rush Trucks Centers Rides Again
Returning to the fold of FRM and Gragson, Rush Truck Centers and the team announced their 12-race primary schedule for this season. This is the second year the team, driver and sponsor have partnered in NASCAR competition.
“I am really proud of the relationship we have with Rush Truck Centers,” Gragson said. “We showed flashes of what we’re capable of together last year with some solid top-10 and top-15 finishes, and that motivates me heading into this season.
“Their ongoing support motivates our entire team as we work to take the next step in 2026.”
Speaking of the entire team, Rush will remain on the No. 4 in an associate capacity and will also be on the No. 34 of teammates Todd Gilliland and No. 38 of Zane Smith. The company will also provide all three NCS teams of FRM with Peterbilt Model 396 tractors to haul the cars and trailers from track-to-track.
Rush Ready to Roll with Gragson
“We’re excited about this second year of our agreement with Front Row Motorsports and the No. 4 team,” said Rusty Rush, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rush Enterprises. “Our partnership with FRM extends across the entire organization, and we’re proud to support all three teams throughout the season.
“This relationship speaks to the confidence we have in the team and in Noah. Beyond being a tremendous competitor, Noah is a great friend and partner — his passion, charisma and genuine love for this sport are contagious.
“We feel really good about where this program is headed, and I believe we have what it takes to put Rush Truck Centers in Victory Lane with Noah this season.”
New Crew Chief for Gragson
In 111 NCS starts, Gragson has earned three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, three of those were with FRM last season. In five Daytona races, the Las Vegas-native has one top-five and two of his top-10s.
On January 6, FRM announced Gragson’s former Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer is moving to Competition Director for the team. Greg Hutchens, who was last with Team Penske, will lead the No. 4 as Crew Chief starting this season.
The 12 Races
Following the Daytona 500, Rush will ride with Gragson for the following events:
March 1, Circuit of the Americas (Austin, TX), April 19 – Kansas Speedway, May 3 – Texas Motor Speedway, May 24 – Charlotte Motor Speedway, May 31 – Nashville Superspeedway, June 21 – Naval Base Coronado (San Diego, CA), July 26 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 29 – Daytona International Speedway, August 19 – Bristol Motor Speedway, October 4 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway and finally October 25 – Talladega Superspeedway.
After a week’s worth of qualifying and practice at the World Center of Speed, the Daytona 500 is set for a 2:30 p.m. ET start on 2/15 and will be carried on FOX -TV, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio to see who claims the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy.
Tim Packman Tim Packman is a journalist for Heavy.com covering NASCAR. He grew up around the short tracks of Western New York watching his dad, stepdad and step brother race. His uncle was the head starter at many area tracks and member of the FOAR Score Hall of Fame. Tim’s passion for racing took him to the announcer’s tower and writing program stories for multiple tracks in the area, namely Lancaster National Speedway. In 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC to become an award-winning journalist for NASCAR.com. He took a job with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the team’s Communications Director and was part of two Daytona 500 wins and two NASCAR Championships. The announcing experience led to becoming a Pit Reporter and News Director for MRN Radio. A return to the team side at Richard Childress Racing as the Director of Corporate Communications took place, which also included another Championship. From 2015 to 2018, Tim returned to where his career began in 1994 – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway – as the Track President. He earned Short Track Promoter of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017. Upon returning to NC, he joined The Garage Shop as Communications Director and host of it’s Podcast and MAV-TV docuseries