By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series team DGR-Crosley announced on Wednesday afternoon that NHRA Champion Tanner Gray will make his Truck Series debut on October 26 at Martinsville Speedway. Gray will pilot the No. 15 Gray Motorsports/Valvoline Toyota Tundra.
In addition to Martinsville, Gray will make starts at both ISM Raceway (Phoenix) and the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Gray made his transition to ovals this season where he competed full-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series while also running some ARCA Menards Series races.
With a second-place finish at Dover International Speedway under his belt in his K&N rookie season it moved the 20-year old up to third place in the points standings.
“I’m excited to make the step up to the Truck Series,” said Gray in a team press release. “I think it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to take the next step with my DGR-Crosley guys. We’ve been preparing for this all season, and I think the best way to learn is to go out and do it.”
“Between testing and spending time in the Toyota simulator, I think I have a good feel for Martinsville and will be able to adapt quickly. We will have three practice sessions to get acclimated and get the truck where it needs to be. We just need to keep our nose clean in the race and have a solid day on pit road.”
Gray’s K&N Pro Series team will make the transition to the truck series with the young driver for the remainder of the 2019 season. Gray will have Seth Smith as crew chief and veteran Cup Series spotter Eddie D’Hondt on the spotter’s stand guiding him.
This season in a combined 15 K&N Pro Series East and West starts Gray earned one win which came at South Boston Speedway, nine Top-5s, 12 Top-10 finishes and three pole awards this season.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame 200 from Martinsville Speedway is set for Saturday October 26 at 1:30PM EST on FS1 and MRN Radio.