FORT WORTH – NASCAR Next alumnus Gray Gaulding will take the next leap in his racing career as the driver of the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang in two upcoming NASCAR XFINITY Series races, the team officially announced today.
The Colonial Heights, Virginia native will pilot No. 60 Ford Mustang at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in August and at his hometown track Richmond (Va.) International Raceway on Sept. 9 respectively. Gaulding’s crew chief and sponsor is yet to be announced. However, Gaulding does have a personal services agreement with longtime sponsor Krispy Kreme.
“I’m very excited to become a part of Roush Fenway Racing’s Developmental program and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel for my XFINITY Series debut later this year at Bristol,” said Gaulding in a team release. “Roush Fenway has proven to be second to none in developing drivers within the NASCAR garage. I think their record speaks for itself. Jack Roush is the most successful owner in XFINITY Series history and it’s a great honor to be able to break into the XFINITY Series in a Roush Fenway Ford Mustang.”
Gaulding moves to Roush Fenway Racing after competing in four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) races last year for Red Horse Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports. He had a best finish of 10th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway driving the No. 54 Krispy Kreme Toyota for KBM.
Gaulding began racing motorbikes at age four and raced cars five years later. At age 10, Gaulding advanced to Bandolero cars winning in his first race. By age 12, he advanced to Legends cars — winning a national championship. Still in his growing years, Gaulding became the youngest Super Late Model race winner becoming the youngest winner in Pro All Star Series (PASS) as well as capturing Rookie of the Year honors.
Soon thereafter, Gaulding continued to climb the ranks by competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West divisions respectively. In 2013, Gaulding won the pole position at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway at 15 years, 1 month, six days becoming the youngest pole-sitter in NASCAR history, more than four months younger than previous record holder Cole Custer. He also won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway after a controversial last lap pass on leader Custer.
Gaulding made his ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards debut at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February finishing ninth after starting 11th in a Lira Motorsports entry.
Reigning XFINITY Series champion Chris Buescher weighed in on the addition of Gaulding to the Roush Fenway Racing stable.
I think it’ll be a good deal,” said Buescher who is on loan from Roush Fenway Racing to drive in the Sprint Cup Series for Front Row Motorsports. “The way it’s been explained to me, I haven’t had much briefing, but it’s just another driver development program very similar to the way I came into the Roush organization. I came into it at a lot lower level and a lot earlier I guess, but I think it’s gonna be good. I think it’s just another chance to hopefully have another car for them to get information off of and to build that program up.”
For now, no other racing plans this season have been announced for Gaulding.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
