Big changes are coming to Front Row Motorsports in 2026! The team is shaking things up, and the biggest news is the shift in leadership for the No. 4 Ford. Grant Hutchens, a seasoned race engineer, will be stepping into the role of crew chief, taking the reins from Drew Blickensderfer, who had been working with driver Noah Gragson. But here's where it gets interesting... Blickensderfer isn't leaving the team; he's moving into a competition director role, working alongside technical director Seth Barbour.
Hutchens is no stranger to the high-pressure world of NASCAR. He's been a race engineer for years, most recently with Wood Brothers Racing in 2024, and has experience with Team Penske and Richard Childress Racing. He's even been a crew chief for nine Cup Series races, albeit in a fill-in capacity. His best result? A second-place finish with Austin Cindric at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course back in 2022.
The team's other driver-crew chief pairings are staying put. Chris Lawson will continue as crew chief for Todd Gilliland in the No. 34 Ford, and Ryan Bergenty will remain with the No. 38 team, working with Smith. This continuity could be a key factor in the team's success.
Front Row is also bolstering its team with the addition of Jonathan DeHart as aerodynamics manager. DeHart brings experience from Hendrick Motorsports and General Motors' IndyCar operations.
These changes will be in place when the Cup Series kicks off its 2026 season. The action starts with the Cook Out Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1 (8 p.m. ET), followed by the Daytona 500 on February 15 (2:30 p.m. ET). Both races will be broadcast on FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and HBO Max.
Controversially, Front Row will be looking to bounce back after a tough 2025 season, where they missed the Cup Series Playoffs. Gilliland finished 27th, Smith 28th, and Gragson 34th in the final standings.
What do you think of these changes? Will Grant Hutchens be able to lead the No. 4 team to victory? Do you think the continuity in the other pairings will pay off? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
