MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Front Row Motorsports and Matt Tifft have mutually agreed to end their driving agreement as Tifft continues to focus on his health.
Tifft was forced to step out of the No. 36 Ford Mustang prior to the NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway last month, due to a medical episode that was later revealed to be a seizure.
“I’ve made the decision to focus on my health, and there is no rush or timetable to get back behind the wheel. Because of that, I can’t commit to racing full-time in 2020,” said Tifft in a statement. “I can’t say when I’ll be ready to race again, but I believe I will come back. I love this sport, the people, and I would like to be a part of it next year in some capacity.
“I want to thank Bob Jenkins, Jerry Freeze and the entire Front Row Motorsports organization for allowing me to live my dream of racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. They are great people and it’s been awesome to race there. I look forward to what’s next in racing when the time is right.”
In 32 Cup Series starts during his rookie season, Tifft earned one top-10 finish, a ninth-place effort at Daytona Int’l Speedway in July. He ranked 30th in driver points prior to the medical issues that sidelined him from driving.
It’s the second time in Tifft’s young career that he’s been forced to step away from racing due to health-related concerns, after undergoing surgery to remove a non-malignant, low-grade glioma in his brain during the summer of 2016.
“Matt has always shown us a lot of determination and courage. He’s a fighter and I believe, like him, that he’ll return to driving,” said team owner Bob Jenkins. “For now, we support Matt and his need to focus on his health and his family. Racing will be there when it’s time.
“We want to thank Matt and his family for being a part of Front Row Motorsports and helping us continue to grow.”
John Hunter Nemechek, previously announced as Tifft’s substitute, will continue in his role as the interim driver of the No. 36 Ford Mustang to conclude the Cup Series season.