Front Row shifts crew chief lineup

Front Row Motorsports is changing up its crew chief lineup for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

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Behind every NASCAR driver, there's a support team.

David Gilliland will return in the No. 38 Ford with veteran crew chief Frank Kerr atop the box. Kerr was on the pit box for Marcos Ambrose at JTG/Daugherty Racing for three seasons and with Bobby Labonte in 2011. Prior to that, Kerr, 52, was employed at Michael Waltrip Racing as David Reutimann’s crew chief, a role he took in 2007. Kerr’s racing career started behind the wheel where he gained notoriety in Sprint cars.

“I worked with David (Gilliland) before when I worked as Robby Gordon’s crew chief,” Kerr said. “I also worked with David in the Nationwide Series. He’s a racer. I think it will be good.”

Gilliland finished 30th in the Sprint Cup points standings last year. His best effort was a 13th-place finish earned at Talladega in the spring under the direction of then-crew chief Pat Tryson, who parted ways with the team in October. Kerr replaces engineer Derrick Finley, who will return to the research and development division at Front Row Motorsports.

Steven Lane will guide Josh Wise’s effort in the No. 26 Ford. Lane most recently worked with David Stremme at Inception Motorsports – a reunion of sorts since the pair partnered at Ganassi Racing in 2007. Wise qualified for 30 of the 35 races he attempted in 2012. His best finish was 30th at Sonoma in June.

Newlywed David Ragan will remain with Jay Guy leading the No. 34 Ford.