Countdown to Daytona 2026 - 27 Days

By Adam Carabine

Counting down the final 30 days to the 2026 Daytona 500, we are looking at last year's Top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Today's driver: Todd Gilliland

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

No. 34 Car – Front Row Motorsports

2025 Stats

Standings	27th
Wins	0
Points	616
Stage Points	37
Stage Wins	0
Laps Led	23
Lead Lap Finishes	21
Average Finish	20.8
DNFs	2
Races since last win	N/A

What Does Success Look Like in 2026?

When Michael McDowell left FRM, Gilliland became the de facto leader of the team’s Cup Series operations.  While he’s shown some flashes of speed, success for Gilliland this upcoming season will be to gain some more consistency and to up his Top 10s and Top 5s.

Best-Case Scenario in 2026?

Gilliland had some pretty solid finishes in ’25, including finishing runner-up at Talladega in the fall.  As is the case with most of the drafting track races, it can come down to mere inches.  Gilliland could certainly sneak in a drafting win this season, especially considering Front Row Motorsports seems to have a solid qualifying setup for those types of tracks.

Most Likely Outcome in 2026?

I don’t think Gilliland’s first Cup Series win is coming this year, but if he can continue to focus on consistency and keeping his car clean, he should still have a spot in the Cup Series.  I think he can push up his points to get to the Top 25.

Bold Prediction?

Gilliland’s best track by average finish is Indianapolis.  Gilliland scores his first Cup Series victory at the Brickyard this year!