Brett Moffitt takes over No. 34 seat for three races

Feb 27, 2015; Hampton, GA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Brett Moffitt (55) during qualifying for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Moffitt will be behind the wheel of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford for the next three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, beginning with Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, according to a release Wednesday from Front Row Motorsports.

Moffitt also will drive the No. 34 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 15 and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., March 22.

"“I’m excited about the opportunity to run some races for Front Row,” Moffitt said. “After last weekend, I’m obviously eager to get back into a car and keep racing. I’m grateful to Bob Jenkins and his team for giving me the chance to do that. I’ll do my best to get some good finishes for them. I’m also thankful that Michael Waltrip Racing is allowing me to pursue this opportunity. I think it’s going to benefit everyone in the end.”"

Moffitt has a developmental deal with Michael Waltrip Racing.

David Ragan, the regular driver of the No. 34, temporarily moved to Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 18 JGR Toyota for the injured Kyle Busch. the Las Vegas race will be Ragan’s second in the No. 18. Camping World Truck Series regular Matt Crafton filled in for Busch in the Daytona 500. The length of Ragan’s stint at Joe Gibbs Racing is undetermined at this time, but he’s expected to return to Front Row Motorsports and the No. 34 seat later this year.

Joe Nemechek drove the No. 34 in Ragan’s absence March 1 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"“We know Brett doesn’t have a ton of Sprint Cup experience, but he’s got a lot of hours behind the wheel in testing time, and he was certainly impressive Sunday in Atlanta,” Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins said. “For only his eighth start, he showed a lot of poise, patience and maturity that you don’t often see in drivers that age.”"

Moffitt also raced at Atlanta, serving as a fill-in driver for Brian Vickers in the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota. Vickers still was recovering from off-season heart surgery at the time. Vickers is slated to return to driving duties of the No. 55 at Las Vegas. Car owner Michael Waltrip drove the No. 55 in the season-opening Daytona 500 in late February.

At Atlanta, Moffitt finished eighth after starting 22nd.

"“As we anticipated, there has been heightened interest for Brett Moffitt’s services after his solid performance last weekend in Atlanta,” Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman said. “While he is committed to MWR, we are happy for him to gain further valuable experience and help Bob Jenkins, Jerry Freeze and the team at Front Row Motorsports over the next few races. Bob and Front row were very gracious with our Toyota teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing after Kyle Busch’s unfortunate injuries by allowing David Ragan to vacate the No. 34 to drive the No. 18. We will continue to work on future opportunities for Brett.”"

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