Read on Twitter
It’s no secret that Front Row Motorsports is in the midst of an incredible season. Michael McDowell and John Hunter Nemechek have taken the team to new heights.
But there is something else that has changed. To see this, we turn to the magic man himself.
But there is something else that has changed. To see this, we turn to the magic man himself.
Bob Jenkins, per Wikipedia, is the owner of the following
- Franchises of Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, and A&W
-Morristown Driver Services (MDS Trucking)
-Dockside Logistics, which is listed on the MDS site
When these appear on the car, they are an unsponsored car in disguise.
- Franchises of Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, and A&W
-Morristown Driver Services (MDS Trucking)
-Dockside Logistics, which is listed on the MDS site
When these appear on the car, they are an unsponsored car in disguise.
This works much like Barney Visser and the Jet Black Furniture Row 78.
Now, the game is prevalence. How many times do these cars appear with these sponsors above? (No loves, CSX, those aren’t Jenkins’
Thank god for Racing Reference and the Sponsor Search.
Now, the game is prevalence. How many times do these cars appear with these sponsors above? (No loves, CSX, those aren’t Jenkins’
Thank god for Racing Reference and the Sponsor Search.
By looking up “MDS” in this tool, you see a distinct pattern, as MDS was the sponsor of the 35 from ‘12-13 when Rick Santorum and Blockbuster Video, of all things, wasn’t there. Most of those races were start and park.
Unlike the 34 and 38, who gained sponsors, the 35 parked.
Unlike the 34 and 38, who gained sponsors, the 35 parked.
By 2020, however, MDS appears once in a blue moon. Only the 3/8 Phoenix and 9/12 Richmond races did Nemechek sport the MDS white and orange.
By contrast, those colors were with David Ragan 14-15 times a season on the 38 the 2 years before.
By contrast, those colors were with David Ragan 14-15 times a season on the 38 the 2 years before.
Looking up Dockside presents the same stats. After dominating the revolving door in 2015 and being with Buescher in 2016 for his win...
2018-19 had 8 appearences for DSL each.
2020? Pocono doubleheader & Kansas on Thursday.
2018-19 had 8 appearences for DSL each.
2020? Pocono doubleheader & Kansas on Thursday.
As for the Franchises,
-A&W is very sporadic, 1 or 2 starts a year
-Taco Bell is MIA since 2016
-LJS sponsored McD 7 times in 2019 after a 5 year hiatus, MIA since yesterday of last year.
None have come onto the cars this time.
-A&W is very sporadic, 1 or 2 starts a year
-Taco Bell is MIA since 2016
-LJS sponsored McD 7 times in 2019 after a 5 year hiatus, MIA since yesterday of last year.
None have come onto the cars this time.
Instead, we see a pattern much like 2017, where both drivers of the 34 and 38 have lots of sponsorship.
McD sees CarParts become a big investor, having fun during Daytona.
This reminds me of the CSX cars with their sponsorship, last seen in 2017 at Martinsville.
McD sees CarParts become a big investor, having fun during Daytona.
This reminds me of the CSX cars with their sponsorship, last seen in 2017 at Martinsville.
Nemechek also has this with his sponsors like Death Wish, FAS, and everything else, much like David Ragan in 2017, with his sponsors getting almost the whole year.
More outside sponsors, less work for Bobby Jay.
More outside sponsors, less work for Bobby Jay.
As for Tifft, he had a stable sponsor guiding the 36 before the horrible events at Martinsville, showing why only the 34 and 38 had the in house funds.
So, what changed?
So, what changed?
It all comes down to performance and marketability. JHN is young and a rising star who may spin a lot, but knows when to get it done, like he did with his Dad’s team in trucks.
Having his small team big finishes mindset helps greatly.
Having his small team big finishes mindset helps greatly.
As for McD, he has had a season I chronicled earlier.
To update:
-4 top 10s
-10 top 15s
-17 top 20s
-2 finishes in bottom 10, 1 DNF
-22nd in points
All career bests.
To update:
-4 top 10s
-10 top 15s
-17 top 20s
-2 finishes in bottom 10, 1 DNF
-22nd in points
All career bests.
Therefore, with all my points, I believe that FRM has taken a huge leap forward from JHN and McD’s talents drawing sponsors when they really shouldn’t.
2020 has been a masterpiece, and we haven’t even raced at Talladega for October yet.
Also Roval.
Cheers for the next weeks.
2020 has been a masterpiece, and we haven’t even raced at Talladega for October yet.
Also Roval.
Cheers for the next weeks.
