Tifft and Front Row Motorsports Mutually Part Ways

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

The pairing of Front Row Motorsports and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie Matt Tifft has ended as the team announced Wednesday they’ve mutually agreed to part ways as Tifft will be focusing on his health.

The 23-year-old Hinckley, Ohio native issued a statement regarding the decision of leaving FRM:

“I’ve made the decision to focus on my health and there is no rush or timetable to get back behind the wheel. Because of that, I can’t commit to racing full-time in 2020. I can’t say when I’ll be ready to race again, but I believe I will come back. I love this sport, the people, and I would like to be a part of it next year in some capacity.

“I want to thank Bob Jenkins, Jerry Freeze and the entire Front Row Motorsports organization for allowing me to live my dream of racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. They are great people and it’s been awesome to race there. I look forward to what’s next in racing when the time is right.”

In 32 Cup starts, Tifft scored a top-10 in the rain-shortened Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, where he finished ninth.

However, Tifft’s season and racing career at the moment was halted due to a health scare prior to Saturday’s activities at Martinsville Speedway, forcing him to sit out the weekend and have two-time Gander Outdoors Truck Series champion Matt Crafton take over.

Since then, Xfinity Series regular John Hunter Nemechek has summoned the role as the driver of the No. 36 Ford Mustang for the rest of 2019.

FRM car owner Bob Jenkins also issued a statement about Tifft’s strong characteristic which is being a fighter and wishes him well on his recovery.

“Matt has always shown us a lot of determination and courage. He’s a fighter and I believe, like him, that he’ll return to driving. For now, we support Matt and his need to focus on his health and his family.Racing will be there when it’s time. We want to thank Matt and his family for being a part of Front Row Motorsports and helping us continue to grow.”