NASCAR veteran Pat Tryson will join Front Row Motorsports as the crew chief for David Gilliland’s No. 38 Ford. The move is the latest of numerous off-season improvements for the Sprint Cup Series team and allows interim crew chief Derrick Finley to return full-time to his role of Director of Competition.
Tryson comes to Front Row Motorsports with more than 15 years of experience atop the pit box and race-winning credentials, earning victories with drivers Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler and Mark Martin. He most recently worked for Michael Waltrip Racing, where he served in crew-chief and consultant roles.
“We made some pretty big changes this off-season to really take this team to the next level, and adding Pat is just one more critical piece that we’ve put in place for our 2012 season,” said team general manager Jerry Freeze. “With Jay Guy on the No. 34 car and Derrick returning full-time to the competition director role, the depth and experience of our leadership team is better than it’s ever been before.”
Tryson has worked with some of the sport’s best organizations and drivers over the years. This season will be his first time working with Gilliland, but he is ready to step in and help the team.
“I like what this team has done in the last few years, doing the right things and making the right changes to get better every season,” said Tryson. “Gilliland’s a competitive driver – he’s got the fire in his belly – and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Gilliland, who scored a season-best third in last year’s Daytona 500, is ready to hit the track next week in Daytona Beach with Tryson running the No. 38 program.
“He’s a great ‘get’ for this team,” said Gilliland. “There’s just so much that he brings to the table with all his experience. I can’t wait to get started.”
FRM PR
