DAYTONA BEACH, Fla: Friday night’s NextEra Energy 250 was definitely eventful for Tanner Gray and his No. 15 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra but their efforts to combat their issues during the race were rewarded with a career-best second-place finish at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
In their first race rebranded as a Toyota team and flying a new team logo, Gray backed up the speed that he showcased in practice and qualifying and recovered from being involved in two separate incidents, one at Lap 29 and another at Lap 58 and being the beneficiary of the free pass to take a partially wounded No. 15 Dead On Tools Toyota back through the field in a five-lap sprint before rain halted the race at Lap 69.
Attempts to dry the track and resume the race were unsuccessful with NASCAR declaring the race official at Lap 79 with Gray earning his first top-five finish since finishing fifth at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway last March.
Gray called his night hectic.
“Obviously, with the way our night was going, second is a good night for us,” said Gray, whose finish was a career-best in 72 starts. “Not as smooth of a race as we’d like—I got caught up in about every wreck there was.
“All in all, came out with a good finish. That’s all we can ask for.”
The Artesia, NM native is starting his 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season much like he did in 2022, where he delivered three top-10 finishes in the opening three races and sat second in the championship standings before his season derailed and eventually left him 15th overall at seasons end.
“Anytime you can leave Daytona and be good it helps a lot,” added Gray. “It gets the ball rolling and gets momentum on our side so that’s good. We were lucky enough to be in the same boat last year and to start the year off again like this is awesome.”
With the team’s commitment to the Toyota transition and Gray’s pressure on himself to perform, the former NHRA driver returns to Las Vegas in two weeks as a track he believes he can score his first career Truck Series victory – despite the expected presence of Kyle Busch.
In fact, Gray says he has circled the Victoria’s Voice 200 on his race calendar.
“I feel really confident going to Las Vegas. From the time that I started in the Truck Series till now, it’s been one of my best tracks. A place that I’ve feel like we’ve been able to show up to and still have speed even if our balance wasn’t quite right.
“Obviously with Kyle (Busch) being in the field and everyone else, it’s going to be a tough race but I definitely have that one circled on our calendar of ones that I feel like I expect a lot out of myself and expect a good finish from.
“I’m excited. Just got to go back to the shop and study film (and) figure out how we can get better and show up there ready to go.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email: [email protected]
