NASCAR Sprint Cup: David Ragan Finds a Ride with Front Row Motorsports in 2012

After what was probably a harrowing and frustrating offseason for David Ragan, finally some light can be seen at the end of the tunnel.

According to nascar.com, Ragan has secured a full-time ride with Front Row Motorsports for 2012. As an added bonus, he does not have to worry about qualifying for the upcoming Daytona 500, as the team's No. 34 Ford is already locked into the field based on owners' points from last season.

Even though he won his first Sprint Cup race last season and came within a penalty of winning the 2011 Daytona 500, Roush Fenway Racing still opted to release Ragan, forcing him to find a new team.

The frustrations were many, as Ragan had to stand by while less successful drivers, such as Aric Almirola and A.J. Allmendinger, were signed to prestigious rides, though neither driver has ever notched a single Cup victory.

Ragan will have a steep learning curve with his new team.

He has already missed the initial winter test sessions at Daytona International Speedway's Preseason Thunder. If he could somehow pull off a victory at the Great American Race come February, it would be fabulous vindication towards redeeming his career in the face of great disappointment.

Better still, Ragan was able to hold out for a situation that was to his greatest liking. Though he probably had options in the lower ranks of NASCAR (Nationwide, Camping World Truck or a part-time gig), Ragan has been given yet another opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

Sometimes, it is just better to be lucky than good. Suffice it to say, though Ragan has not necessarily lived up to expectations, he is not too shabby either.