Todd Gilliland is working diligently to make sure he remains full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023, confirming on Wednesday that he's secured a spot in the field for five of the six events he won't compete for Front Row Motorsports.
The 22-year-old will jump over to Rick Ware Racing in five NASCAR Cup Series events this year, piloting the No. 15 Ford Mustang beginning at Phoenix Raceway in March. Gilliland will return to the entry at Charlotte, Sonoma, Texas, and Charlotte's ROVAL.
With a five-race deal confirmed with Rick Ware Racing, Gilliland is setting his sights on filling the final vacancy in his 2023 schedule, the Spring event at Talladega Superspeedway - where Riley Herbst is scheduled to pilot the No. 15 Ford Mustang.
“I’m going to run five of the six in the Rick Ware No. 15 car, and then we’re working on the sixth one,” Gilliland said during Daytona 500 Media Day. “It’s really cool. I’m really, really thankful for those guys letting me hop in that car. I have a lot of respect for what they’re doing, what they’re growing with being on RFK’s campus now, so hopefully that all goes really good.”
Zane Smith, the defending champion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is scheduled to take over driving duties of the chartered No. 38 Ford Mustang in six races, completing his seven-race schedule in the NASCAR Cup Series, which includes the Daytona 500.
In his rookie season, Gilliland picked up a single top-five finish at Indy's Road Course, where he secured a career-high fourth-place result. The North Carolina-native also picked up a second top-10 at Talladega in October.
