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Taylor Gray (racing driver)

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Taylor Gray
Gray at Martinsville Speedway in 2024
BornTaylor James Gray
(2005-03-25) March 25, 2005 (age 19)
Artesia, New Mexico, U.S.
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
9 races run over 1 year
Car no., teamNo. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing)
First race2024 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Last race2024 Cabo Wabo 250 (Michigan)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 3 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
49 races run over 4 years
2023 position15th
Best finish6th (2024)
First race2021 United Rentals 176 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Last race2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 17 0
ARCA Menards Series career
40 races run over 4 years
Best finish8th (2021)
First race2020 Calypso Lemonade 200 (IRP)
Last race2023 General Tire 150 (Charlotte)
First win2022 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Last win2022 General Tire Delivers 200 (Pocono)
Wins Top tens Poles
3 36 1
ARCA Menards Series East career
17 races run over 3 years
Best finish2nd (2022)
First race2020 Herr's Potato Chips 200 (Toledo)
Last race2022 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win2022 General Tire 125 (Dover)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 16 2
ARCA Menards Series West career
13 races run over 3 years
Best finish12th (2021)
First race2020 ENEOS/Sunrise Ford Twin 30 Race #1 (Tooele)
Last race2022 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (Phoenix)
First win2020 NAPA/ENEOS 125 (Kern County)
Last win2022 Star Nursery 150 (Las Vegas)
Wins Top tens Poles
5 10 2
Statistics current as of July 16, 2024.

Taylor James Gray (born March 25, 2005) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 54 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Racing career

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Early career

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Gray made his debut in a late model in March 2018 at age 12, driving for Lee Faulk Racing and Development at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Paramount Auto Group Limited Late Model Series. He had an impressive showing, finishing sixth in the race.[1] Two months later, he returned to Hickory in the same series and won his first late model race after running in either first or second place for the entire race.[2]

Both Gray and his brother Tanner were signed by DGR-Crosley in 2019, with Tanner driving full-time in the K&N Pro Series East and Taylor driving full-time in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour since he was under the age of 15 and therefore not eligible to compete in a NASCAR series at that time.

In his season racing in CARS, Gray picked up a win at Hickory Motor Speedway in just his second start,[3] which meant he now had two wins at the track. Gray ended the year ninth in points, competing in all but two races which he skipped mid-season. Additionally, he entered the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race at Martinsville, where he flipped and his car came to a halt upside down, but he was uninjured in the crash.[4] Just a few weeks later, he was already back in action, again at Hickory, where he ran the Whelen All-American Series' Fall Brawl event. Gray would have an outstanding performance, leading all 200 laps in the race en route to the win,[5] and this put him with a total of three wins there at only age 14.

ARCA Series

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2020: DGR-Crosley

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On December 18, 2019, it was announced that Gray would drive all races in the ARCA Menards Series East (formerly the K&N Pro Series East) in 2020 with DGR in their No. 17 Ford (the team switched manufacturers from Toyota) once turning 15 on March 25 of that year. In addition, he will run the nine races of the 10-race ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown that he will be able to compete in after he becomes eligible to race in the series.[6] His older brother subbed for him at the season-opener at New Smyrna, and Bubba Pollard was announced to fill in at the following race at Five Flags. However, the Five Flags race along with all others through May was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, which means Gray would be 15 when the rescheduled race is run and eligible to compete in it after all. DGR has yet to announce who will drive the No. 17 car at that one race as a result of this, but since Gray is running full-time for the championship, they presumably would move Pollard to a second car for the team, which has been announced to be fielded in select races sometime in the season for Tanner Gray.[7]

Gray also returned to the CARS Series part-time in 2020, winning their season-opener at Southern National Motorsports Park.[8]

2021–2022: David Gilliland Racing

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On January 15, 2021, Gray was penalized for recording a video on his cell phone while on the track for an official ARCA test session at Daytona, a violation of the series rulebook's Section 20C – 6.7 (restriction of onboard devices, including cell phones). occurred during an official ARCA Menards Series test session at Daytona International Speedway. Gray was placed on probation for the rest of the season and fined $1,000.[9]

Gray at the All American Speedway in 2021.

Gray returned for another full-time season in the East Series in the No. 17 for the renamed David Gilliland Racing. He finished third in the season-opening race at New Smyrna Speedway in a photo finish with race winner Max Gutiérrez and second-place finisher Sammy Smith.[10]

After being involved in a single-car accident in Statesville, North Carolina, on April 8, he was officially cleared to return on July 6, allowing him to run the weekend's ARCA race at Elko Speedway.[11]

After ARCA West Rookie Jake Drew was penalized in the Portland 112 along with Eric Nascimento, Gray won his second ARCA West race. He later won at the Star Nursery 150.

On March 8, 2022, a hauler carrying Gray's car on its way to Phoenix Raceway collided with a Honda Passport near Longview, Texas, killing hauler driver Steven C. Stotts. Two passengers in the hauler and the driver of the SUV survived the accident.[12][13] Three days later on March 11, Gray won the General Tire 150 after starting second and leading 43 laps, dedicating the win to Stotts.[14][15][16] He also won the ARCA East race at Dover with the new Ford Mustang body. He also scored wins at Mid-Ohio and Pocono throughout the season, along with another ARCA West win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring.[17][18][19]

2023: Joe Gibbs Racing and Tricon Garage

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Gray returned to the ARCA Series in 2023, driving the No. 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega, and the newly renamed Tricon Garage No. 17 car at Kansas and Charlotte.

Craftsman Truck Series

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Gray in his Truck Series debut at Watkins Glen in 2021.

2021–2022: David Gilliland Racing

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In 2021, Gray was originally scheduled to make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Richmond Raceway in April for David Gilliland Racing, but on April 8, he suffered a fractured L4 vertebra, left foot, and ankle in a single-car accident in Statesville, North Carolina, forcing him to miss his debut.[20] He later made his Truck debut at Watkins Glen International, finishing in 35th.[21] He ran five races that season and earned a best finish of 8th at Martinsville.

Gray increased his schedule to eight races in 2022.[22] At the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July, Gray was in contention of earning his first career win, leading the race until he got spun by John Hunter Nemechek with two laps to go.[23] He had a best finish of 6th at Richmond late in the year.

2023–present: Tricon Garage

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On October 27, 2022, David Gilliland Racing announced that they will be moving to Toyota Racing Development in 2023, and renaming to Tricon Garage (with Tricon styled in all-capital letters). Gray would remain with the team for a full season, and compete for Rookie of the Year.[24] He missed the first three races of the season due to age restrictions but received a playoff waiver to stay eligible for the playoffs. He earned four top tens throughout the regular season, including a third-place run at Pocono, but failed to make the playoffs. During the playoffs, he scored two consecutive top-five finishes at Kansas and Bristol, finishing 2nd and 5th, respectively.[25] He ended the season 15th in points.

Gray's No. 17 truck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

On November 10, 2023, it was announced that Gray would return to Tricon Garage in 2024, running his first full season.[26]

During the 2024 Truck Series opening race at Daytona, Gray was involved in a flip. On the last lap of the race, Gray was in position for the win off of turn 2 when the truck beside Gray in Jack Wood got turned by Rajah Caruth which turned Wood into Gray and Gray spun. Gray's truck hit the outside wall before he got t-boned in the driver side door by Daniel Dye at an angle which lifted Gray's truck off the ground and did a barrel roll on top of two trucks with both being Christian Eckes and his brother Tanner before the truck landed on the hood of another truck in Bayley Currey and on all four wheels on the pavement. Gray was able to walk out under his own power uninjured and also expressed his displeasure at Caruth in his interview.[27] Due to his consistency throughout the regular season, Gray would make the Playoffs for the first time. At The Martinsville Playoff race, Gray was leading with 5 laps to go and had a shot at winning and making it into the Championship 4. However, entering turn 3, Christian Eckes would make contact with Gray which sent the latter up the track, costing him the win. Eckes would go on to win after dominating. Gray went on to finish 4th and would come up just short of making the Final 4. After the race, Gray would confront Eckes and would get into a heated argument with him.

Gray's No. 19 car at Richmond Raceway in 2024.

Xfinity Series

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2024: Joe Gibbs Racing

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On December 13, 2023, Joe Gibbs Racing announced their driver lineup for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Gray will run 10 races in the Xfinity Series in 2024 for JGR, driving the No. 19 car, sharing the ride with Ryan Truex, Aric Almirola, Ty Gibbs, Joe Graf Jr., William Sawalich, and other drivers to be announced.[28] Gray made his debut at Richmond Raceway, starting 27th and finishing an impressive 3rd.[29] The next two weeks he would finish 13th at Martinsville and 11th at Texas, respectively.

2025: Full Time

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On October 16, 2024, it was announced that Gray will run full-time for the 2025 season, driving the No. 54 Toyota for JGR.[30]

Personal life

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He is the younger brother of Tanner Gray, who also drives for Tricon Garage in their No. 15 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He is also the son of Shane Gray, an NHRA driver, and grandson of Johnny Gray, a Funny Car driver and businessman.[1] In addition to racing, Johnny Gray was the president of Marbob Energy.[31] Since 2021, Johnny Gray has co-owned Tricon Garage.[32] One of Taylor's hobbies is wakeboarding.[33]

Two high school students, Samuel Thomas and Dresden Whitney, made a documentary about Gray titled "Legacy" in May 2022.

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2024 Joe Gibbs Racing 19 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO COA RCH
3 		MAR
13 		TEX
11 		TAL
15 		DOV
34 		DAR
18 		CLT
12 		PIR SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC
5 		IND MCH
8 		DAY DAR ATL
28 		GLN BRI KAN
38 		TAL
32 		ROV LVS
33 		HOM MAR PHO 83rd 01 [34]

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2021 David Gilliland Racing 17 Ford DAY DRC LVS ATL BRD RCH KAN DAR COA CLT TEX NSH POC KNX GLN
35 		GTW
12 		DAR BRI
29 		LVS TAL MAR
8 		PHO
29 		40th 76 [35]
2022 DAY LVS ATL COA
26 		MAR
26 		BRD DAR KAN TEX CLT GTW
36 		SON KNX NSH MOH
15 		POC IRP
22 		RCH
6 		KAN BRI
16 		TAL HOM PHO
17 		34th 147 [36]
2023 Tricon Garage Toyota DAY LVS ATL COA
11 		TEX
24 		BRD
34 		MAR
8 		KAN
9 		DAR
21 		NWS
21 		CLT
10 		GTW
13 		NSH
14 		MOH
15 		POC
3 		RCH
14 		IRP
20 		MLW
13 		KAN
2 		BRI
5 		TAL
18 		HOM
13 		PHO
23 		15th 490 [37]
2024 DAY
19 		ATL
4 		LVS
4 		BRI
7 		COA
2 		MAR
6 		TEX
7 		KAN
27 		DAR
8 		NWS
13 		CLT
12 		GTW
30 		NSH
34 		POC
4 		IRP
16 		RCH
3 		MLW
5 		BRI
12 		KAN
18 		TAL
2 		HOM
10 		MAR
4 		PHO
6 		6th 2247 [38]

ARCA Menards Series

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

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2020 DGR-Crosley 17 Ford DAY PHO TAL POC IRP
4 		KEN IOW
5 		KAN TOL
3 		TOL
11 		MCH DRC
4 		GTW
8 		L44
3 		TOL
5 		BRI
7 		WIN
5 		MEM
9 		ISF
4 		KAN 11th 460 [39]
2021 David Gilliland Racing DAY PHO
9 		TAL KAN TOL CLT MOH POC ELK
5 		BLN
4 		IOW
3 		WIN
5 		GLN
7 		MCH MLW
4 		BRI
3 		SLM
11 		KAN 8th 428 [40]
46 ISF
3 		DSF
5
2022 17 DAY PHO
1 		TAL KAN CLT IOW
18 		BLN
4 		ELK
4 		MOH
1 		POC
1* 		IRP
3 		MCH GLN
8 		ISF
8 		MLW
2 		DSF
12 		KAN BRI
3 		SLM
5 		TOL
4 		10th 606 [41]
2023 Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota DAY PHO TAL
7 		36th 120 [42]
Tricon Garage 17 Toyota KAN
3 		CLT
3 		BLN ELK MOH IOW POC MCH IRP GLN ISF MLW DSF KAN BRI SLM TOL

ARCA Menards Series East

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ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2020 DGR-Crosley 17 Ford NSM TOL
8 		DOV
9 		TOL
5 		BRI
7 		FIF
4 		8th 237 [43]
2021 David Gilliland Racing NSM
3 		FIF
3 		NSV DOV SNM IOW
3 		MLW
4 		BRI
3 		8th 208 [44]
2022 NSM
2 		FIF
3 		DOV
1* 		NSV
3 		IOW
18 		MLW
2 		BRI
3 		2nd 335 [45]

ARCA Menards Series West

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ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 AMSWC Pts Ref
2020 DGR-Crosley 17 Ford LVS MMP
4 		MMP
11 		IRW EVG DCS CNS LVS AAS
7* 		KCR
1* 		PHO
3 		13th 161 [46]
2021 David Gilliland Racing PHO
9 		SON IRW CNS IRW PIR
1 		12th 245 [47]
17E LVS
1* 		AAS
22
71 PHO
2
2022 17 PHO
1 		IRW KCR PIR SON IRW EVG PIR AAS 19th 164 [48]
71 LVS
1* 		PHO
27

References

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  1. ^ a b "Taylor Gray Makes Stock Car Debut in Impressive Fashion". Speed Sport. March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Gray Scores First Career Late Model Victory at Hickory". Speed51.com. May 15, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Taylor Gray Scores First Win at Hickory Motor Speedway". Speedway Digest. May 13, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Weaver, Matt (October 6, 2019). "VIDEO: Taylor Gray unharmed after flipping a Late Model at Martinsville". Short Track Scene. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Taylor Gray Dominates Fall Brawl at Hickory Motor Speedway". DGR-Crosley. Leading Edge Marketing. October 22, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Tomlinson, Joy (December 18, 2019). "Taylor Gray Running Full ARCA Schedule for DGR-Crosley". Frontstretch. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Page, Scott (December 16, 2019). "Gray set to run full Truck series schedule in 2020". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Weaver, Matt (March 7, 2020). "Taylor Gray snookers and outduels CARS Tour elite at Southern National". Short Track Scene. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. ^ "Taylor Gray Penalized For Rulebook Violations During Daytona Test". ARCA Menards Series. January 19, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  10. ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 8, 2021). "Max Gutierrez Edges Out Sammy Smith, Taylor Gray for Shocking Triumph in ARCA East Season Opener". TobyChristie.com.
  11. ^ "ARCA Menards Series Race Advance: Elko Speedway". David Gilliland Racing. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "David Gilliland Racing hauler involved in 'major' crash near Longview". Longview News-Journal. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  13. ^ "David Gilliland Racing Hauler Driver Killed in Accident". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "2022 General Tire 150". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  15. ^ Fenwick, Adam (March 11, 2022). "Taylor Gray scores emotional ARCA Menards Series win at Phoenix Raceway". ARCA. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Long, Dustin (March 11, 2022). "Taylor Gray's ARCA win honors hauler driver killed in traffic accident". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Starcevic, R. J. (July 8, 2022). "Taylor Gray Scores ARCA Victory in Wild Rain Race at Mid-Ohio". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  18. ^ Starcevic, R. J. (July 22, 2022). "Taylor Gray Wins Darkness-Shortened ARCA Race at Pocono, While Sammy Smith Beefs With Venturini Team". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  19. ^ Branscum, Benjamine (October 15, 2022). "Taylor Gray Dominates, Leads Flag To Flag, And Wins At The Las Vegas Bullring". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  20. ^ "Taylor Gray involved in street accident; in stable condition: UPDATE". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 8, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  21. ^ Nguyen, Justin (July 7, 2021). "Taylor Gray cleared after 13-week recovery, set for Truck debut at WGI". TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  22. ^ Kristl, Mark (July 26, 2021). "Taylor Gray Racing Part Time Trucks, ARCA in 2022". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Srigley, Joseph (July 30, 2022). "Video: John Hunter Nemechek Spins Taylor Gray from Lead, Triggers NASCAR Overtime". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  24. ^ "Toyota Racing Development Announces Partnership with TRICON Garage". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 27, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  25. ^ "Taylor Gray Earns Career-Best Runner-up Finish". Speedway Digest. September 8, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Srigley, Joseph (November 10, 2023). "Taylor Gray to Continue in Truck Series with TRICON Garage in 2024". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  27. ^ "Wild NASCAR crash sends truck airborne at Daytona (Video)". Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  28. ^ "Sheldon Creed, Chandler Smith join Joe Gibbs Racing; Aric Almirola to run partial schedule". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  29. ^ Newby, John (March 30, 2024). "Taylor Gray, Bubba Pollard capitalize during Xfinity debuts at Richmond". nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "Taylor Gray joins Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025 Xfinity Series schedule". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  31. ^ "How drag racing became the sport of millionaires". Fortune.com. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "David Gilliland Partners With Johnny Gray To Form David Gilliland Racing". ARCAracing.com. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  33. ^ "About-Taylor Gray". Taylor Gray Racing. Truex Management Group. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  34. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  35. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  36. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  37. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  38. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  39. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  40. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  41. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  42. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  43. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2020 ARCA Menards East Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  44. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2021 ARCA Menards East Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  45. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  46. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  47. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  48. ^ "Taylor Gray – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
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