MOORESVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) – A NASCAR team executive died this past week after a brief illness.<\/p>\n
Front Row Motorsports\u2019 performance director, Johnny Roten, died on Nov. 19, according to his obituary<\/a>.<\/p>\n The team said<\/a> Roten had been \u201can integral part\u201d of Front Row Motorsports over the past few seasons, and had been part of the NASCAR community for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n \u201cJohnny was a dedicated family man as well as a well-respected figure in the world of motorsports,\u201d his obituary read in part. \u201cHe touched so many lives, and his legacy will live on in those he has mentored through his many years of racing. He always had a story to tell and a huge smile on his face; he played hard and loved hard.\u201d<\/p>\n A Wilkes County native, Roten\u2019s obituary said he got his start with NASCAR legend Junior Johnson\u2019s race team. He later worked as a crew member on Bill Elliott\u2019s car, and was part of Martin Truex Jr.\u2019s 2017 Cup Series championship team.<\/p>\n Roten was with Front Row Motorsports in 2023, when Michael McDowell drove the team\u2019s No. 34 car to a dominant win<\/a> at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.<\/p>\n \u201cJohnny will be remembered for his work ethic, kindness, and the deep respect he earned throughout the racing community,\u201d his obituary went on. \u201cMost of all, he will be cherished for the love he had for God, his Family and Friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Roten\u2019s funeral was scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29. His 60th birthday came just 10 days before his death. He was married with four kids.<\/p>\n Front Row Motorsports currently fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Nos. 4, 34 and 38 cars are driven by Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith, respectively.<\/p>\n