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Gray Gaulding
Gaulding at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2019
Born	Dwayne Gray Gaulding Jr. (1998-02-10) February 10, 1998 (age 26) Colonial Heights, Virginia, U.S.
Achievements	3rd Youngest winner ever in a NASCAR-sanctioned series (15y/8m/28d) 2nd Youngest winner ever in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (15) Youngest Legend Car winner ever (12) Youngest Legend Car Champion ever (12)
NASCAR Cup Series career
60 races run over 6 years
2023 position	59th
Best finish	34th (2017)
First race	2016 Goody's Fast Relief 500 (Martinsville)
Last race	2023 Enjoy Illinois 300 (Gateway)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 1 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
79 races run over 8 years
2023 position	37th
Best finish	13th (2019)
First race	2016 Food City 300 (Bristol)
Last race	2023 Wawa 250 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 8 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
19 races run over 4 years
2020 position	69th
Best finish	26th (2014)
First race	2014 Kroger 250 (Martinsville)
Last race	2020 Baptist Health 200 (Homestead)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 2 0
Statistics current as of November 5, 2023.

Dwayne Gray Gaulding Jr. (born February 10, 1998) is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 08 Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang for SS-Green Light Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing.

Racing career

Gaulding began racing motorbikes at age 4, and raced cars five years later. When he was 10, Gaulding received two Bandolero cars, and won in his first Bandolero race. At age 12, Gaulding was the youngest driver in a NASCAR Legends Division, and won a Legends car national championship, gaining sponsorship from firearm distributor GunBroker.com. Also at age 12, Gaulding defeated NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick at Harvick's karting track, which prompted Harvick to sign Gaulding to Kevin Harvick Incorporated's driver development program. At 13, Gaulding became the youngest Super late model race winner, and was also the youngest driver to win the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Rookie of the Year Award. After KHI shut down in 2011, he was released from the team's driver development program. When he was 14, Gaulding was volunteering at the Victory Junction Gang Camp when he agreed to five one-year contracts with Krispy Kreme as a sponsor.

K&N Pro Series East

In 2013, Gaulding ran the No. 20 Krispy Kreme Toyota in both the K&N Pro Series East and West. He won the pole position at Richmond International Raceway at 15 years, 2 months, 15 days, becoming the youngest pole-sitter in NASCAR history, more than four months younger than Cole Custer, the previous record holder. In the season-ending Pro Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway, Gaulding spun out Custer on the final lap to win, becoming the youngest race winner in K&N series history at 15 years, 8 months and 30 days. During the year, Gaulding was named to the NASCAR Next program, which highlights NASCAR's future stars. In 2014, Gaulding was hired by NTS Motorsports to run full-time in the K&N East series.

Truck Series

Gaulding joined NTS Motorsports in the No. 20, and ran eight races in the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season; he made his Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway. On lap 243, Gaulding was running three-wide, and was turned around. Gaulding finished 19th. Gaulding recorded his best finish of the year at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, finishing 4th in the Chevrolet Silverado 250.

On March 23, 2015, Gaulding was released by NTS Motorsports, and joined Red Horse Racing, making his debut for the team at Martinsville where he finished 17th. He later joined Kyle Busch Motorsports, driving the No. 54 Toyota Tundra in three races at Mosport, New Hampshire and Martinsville.

Xfinity Series

In 2016, Gaulding joined Roush Fenway Racing's driver development program and made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the No. 60 at Bristol Motor Speedway, while also running another round at Richmond.

For the 2019 season, Gaulding drove No. 08 Chevy for SS-Green Light Racing full-time. In April's MoneyLion 300 at Talladega Superspeedway, Gaulding finished a career-best second behind Tyler Reddick.

On January 16, 2020, it was announced that Joe Graf Jr. would take over the No. 08 car for the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, leaving Gaulding without a ride. Despite losing his full-time seat with the team, Gaulding returned to SS-Green Light for Talladega, where he piloted the No. 07 to an eighth-place run. Another ride opportunity with the same team saw Gaulding score another second-place finish in the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway, being beaten by eventual winner Justin Haley. Gaulding later joined Mike Harmon Racing for a late-season drive at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

On January 26, 2021, it was reported that Gaulding would return to the Xfinity Series full-time for Jimmy Means Racing. At the conclusion of the Martinsville race, a fight broke out on pit road between Gaulding and Joe Graf Jr. after Gaulding wrecked Graf on lap 177.

Gaulding would only make a handful of starts in 2022, splitting time between Mike Harmon Racing and JD Motorsports with a best finish of 21st at Talladega Superspeedway.

In 2023, Gaulding would return to SS-Green Light Racing in the No. 08 in a mix of Chevrolets and Fords with Blaine Perkins as his teammate.

Cup Series

In late 2016, Gaulding attempted to make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Martinsville, driving the No. 30 car for The Motorsports Group. Gaulding joined BK Racing's No. 23 car for the 2017 season, driving in 33 races. Gaulding was not approved to run the Daytona 500 due to lack of experience on larger tracks (1.5 miles or greater). On June 13, 2017, he was replaced by Ryan Sieg at Michigan. Later in the month, Gaulding announced he had joined Premium Motorsports' No. 55 Camry for the Cup races at Kentucky and Loudon. On June 5, 2017, BK Racing released Gaulding because of financial issues; however, he would later return to the team at Darlington. At Talladega, Gaulding survived a crash-filled race to post his career-best finish of ninth.

Gaulding would return to BK Racing in 2018, but left the team after running the first 17 races as it fell into financial turmoil. He joined StarCom Racing for two races in the No. 99 before moving to Rick Ware Racing. He returned to Ware for the 2019 Food City 500 and a part-time schedule in 2020.

Personal life

Gaulding is the son of Dwayne and Kristin (Martek) Gaulding. A native of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Gaulding's father, Dwayne, was the vice president of operations at NTS Motorsports.

Gaulding's brother-in-law is fellow race car driver Zane Smith.

On April 2, 2024, Gaulding was arrested for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. He was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR the following day. The misdemeanor would later be dismissed on July 29.

Motorsports career results

Career summary

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

Season still in progress
Ineligible for series points

Daytona 500

Xfinity Series

Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series

K&N Pro Series East

K&N Pro Series West

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

References

1. Henigan, Dennis (August 13, 2010). "Gray Gaulding, 12-Year-Old Race Car Driver, Sponsored By Gun Web Site (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
2. ^ Pockrass, Bob (April 27, 2012). "Remember this name: Gray Gaulding". Sporting News. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
3. O'Sullivan, Tim (September 21, 2013). "Teenager Gaulding growing up fast on NASCAR tracks". Concord Monitor. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
4. "Gaulding to Compete in K&N Pro Series". Motor Racing Network. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
5. Spencer, Lee (January 20, 2014). "Custer, turning 16 this week, to run limited Truck schedule". Foxsports.com. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
6. Hardin, Ed (February 7, 2014). "Gaulding, 15, ready to go racing". News & Record. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
7. "Gray Gaulding". NTS Motorsports. March 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-02. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
8. ^ "Gaulding Set to Make Truck Series Debut". Motor Racing Network. February 7, 2014. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
9. ^ "Gaulding Teams With Newberry At NTS". NASCAR Home Tracks. February 7, 2014. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
10. Eberly, Brian (March 26, 2014). "GRAY GAULDING TO MAKE TRUCK SERIES DEBUT THIS WEEKEND AT MARTINSVILLE". Motor Racing Digest. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
11. "Gray Gaulding's Debut gets Turned Around late in the Kroger 250". Catchfence. March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
12. "2014 Chevrolet Silverado 250". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
13. McFadin, Daniel (March 23, 2015). "NTS Motorsports ends relationship with Gray Gaulding". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
14. Wilhelm, Chase (March 7, 2016). "Gray Gaulding signs with Roush Fenway Racing developmental program". Foxsports.com. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
15. Kraft, RJ (April 27, 2019). "'Underdog' Gaulding basks in emotion-filled runner-up result". NASCAR. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
16. Utter, Jim (January 16, 2020). "Joe Graf Jr. moves fulltime to NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2020". Motorsport.com. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
17. "Walk-On's named as Primary Sponsor for Gray Gaulding Return to Talladega". SS-Green Light Racing (Press release). Speedway Media. June 19, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
18. Data Skrive (June 23, 2020). "Gray Gaulding places eighth at Talladega Superspeedway". NASCAR. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
19. Waack, Terrin (August 28, 2020). "Gray Gaulding pulls off another career runner-up superspeedway finish". NASCAR. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
20. "Gray Gaulding driving for Mike Harmon at Charlotte". Jayski's Silly Season Site. October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
21. Albino, Dustin (January 26, 2021). "Gray Gaulding to Drive Full Time for Jimmy Means Racing in 2021". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
22. "Gray Gaulding, Joe Graf Jr. Fight Following Xfinity Race at Martinsville". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
23. "GRAY GAULDING TO MAKE SPRINT CUP DEBUT AT MARTINSVILLE". NASCAR. October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
24. Knight, Chris (January 24, 2017). "Gray Gaulding set for nearly full Cup Series schedule at BK Racing". Catchfence. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
25. Durr, Tim (June 13, 2017). "Ryan Sieg to replace Gray Gaulding in No. 23 for Michigan". Foxsports.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
26. Douglas, John (June 28, 2017). "Gray Gaulding Signs with Premium Motorsports for Two Races". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
27. Bonkowski, Jerry (October 16, 2017). "NASCAR Cup rookie Gray Gaulding earns career-best finish at Talladega". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
28. Albino, Dustin (August 19, 2018). "BK Racing NASCAR Sale Leaves Employees With Uncertain Futures". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
29. Beard, Brock (September 22, 2018). "CUP: Gray Gaulding hands car #52 its first Cup Series last-place finish since 1996". LASTCAR. Blogger. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
30. Gillispie, Zach (April 4, 2020). "Gray Gaulding to Run Double Duty at Bristol". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
31. Christie, Toby (May 12, 2020). "Source: Gray Gaulding Lands Two-Race Deal With Rick Ware Racing, Sponsored by Panini Trading Cards". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
32. Christie, Toby (April 3, 2024). "Gray Gaulding Arrested on Crime of Domestic Violence Charge". TobyChristie.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
33. Utter, Jim (April 3, 2024). "Part-Time NASCAR Driver Gray Gaulding Suspended After Arrest". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
34. Christie, Toby (April 3, 2024). "Gray Gaulding Cleared of April Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence Charge". TobyChristie.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
35. "Gray Gaulding – 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
36. "Gray Gaulding – 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
37. "Gray Gaulding – 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
38. "Gray Gaulding – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
39. "Gray Gaulding – 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
40. "Gray Gaulding – 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
41. "Gray Gaulding – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
42. "Gray Gaulding – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
43. "Gray Gaulding – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
44. "Gray Gaulding – 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
45. "Gray Gaulding – 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
46. "Gray Gaulding – 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
47. "Gray Gaulding – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
48. "Gray Gaulding – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
49. "Gray Gaulding – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
50. "Gray Gaulding – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
51. "Gray Gaulding – 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
52. "Gray Gaulding – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
53. "Gray Gaulding – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
54. "Gray Gaulding – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
55. "Gray Gaulding – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
56. "Gray Gaulding – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
57. "Gray Gaulding – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
58. "Gray Gaulding – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
59. "Gray Gaulding – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2017.

External links

• Official website
• Gray Gaulding driver statistics at Racing-Reference

• Living people
• 1998 births
• People from Colonial Heights, Virginia
• Racing drivers from Virginia
• NASCAR drivers
• ARCA Menards Series drivers
• Kyle Busch Motorsports drivers
• RFK Racing drivers