Taylor Gray Bio
Taylor James Gray, born on March 25, 2005, in Artesia, New Mexico, is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 54 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. Before stepping into the Xfinity Series, Gray built a strong résumé in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and across the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, and ARCA Menards Series West. Competing for Joe Gibbs Racing, one of NASCAR’s most decorated organizations, Gray has quickly established himself as one of the sport’s promising young talents.
Early Life and Background
Taylor James Gray was born and raised in Artesia, New Mexico, and grew up immersed in motorsports. Racing runs deep in his family, as he is the son of Shane Gray, a drag racer who competed in the NHRA, and the grandson of Johnny Gray, a Funny Car driver and businessman who also served as the president of Marbob Energy. Since 2021, Johnny Gray has co-owned Tricon Garage, a NASCAR team. Taylor’s older brother, Tanner Gray, is also a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver for Tricon Garage, driving the No. 15 Toyota Tundra. Outside of racing, Taylor enjoys wakeboarding as a hobby.
Path to NASCAR
Gray made his racing debut in March 2018 at the age of twelve, driving a late model for Lee Faulk Racing and Development at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Paramount Auto Group Limited Late Model Series. He finished an impressive sixth in his debut race and returned two months later to win his first late model event. In 2019, Gray and his brother Tanner were both signed by DGR-Crosley. Because Taylor was under the age of fifteen and not yet eligible for NASCAR, he competed full-time in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, where he won at Hickory Motor Speedway in only his second start. He finished the season ranked ninth in points and also entered the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race at Martinsville Speedway, where he flipped his car but escaped without injury.
Taylor Gray Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Gray’s earliest competitive years came in late model racing in the Carolinas. He won multiple times at Hickory Motor Speedway before the age of fifteen, including leading all 200 laps of the Whelen All-American Series’ Fall Brawl event. These early accomplishments made him one of the most talked-about young drivers in the Southeast short-track scene and helped lay the foundation for his progression into NASCAR’s national series.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2020–2022)
On December 18, 2019, it was announced that Gray would drive all races in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2020 with David Gilliland Racing in their No. 17 Ford, once he turned fifteen in March of that year. He also planned to compete in the ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown. Gray returned for another full-time East Series season in 2021, finishing third at New Smyrna Speedway in a photo finish. In 2022, tragedy struck the David Gilliland Racing team on March 8, when a hauler carrying Gray’s car collided with a Honda Passport near Longview, Texas, killing the hauler driver, Steven C. Stotts. Three days later, Gray won the General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway after starting second and leading 43 laps, dedicating the victory to Stotts. He also collected wins at Dover, Mid-Ohio, Pocono, and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring that season, along with an ARCA West victory.
Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Gray was originally scheduled to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Richmond Raceway in April 2021 for David Gilliland Racing, but a single-car accident in Statesville, North Carolina, on April 8 left him with a fractured L4 vertebra, left foot, and ankle, forcing him to miss the race. He later debuted at Watkins Glen International and ran five races that year, earning a best finish of eighth at Martinsville. In 2022, Gray increased his schedule to eight races, and at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July, he was leading until John Hunter Nemechek spun him with two laps remaining. On October 27, 2022, David Gilliland Racing announced they would switch to Toyota and rename to Tricon Garage. Gray remained with the team and competed for Rookie of the Year in 2023, earning four top-tens in the regular season and finishing fifteenth in points. In 2024, Gray ran his first full Truck Series season and made the Playoffs for the first time. At the Martinsville Playoff race, Gray was leading with five laps to go before contact from Christian Eckes sent him up the track, costing him the chance to advance to the Championship 4. He finished the race in fourth place.
Joe Gibbs Racing Era (2024–Present)
On December 13, 2023, Joe Gibbs Racing announced their driver lineup for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, with Gray set to run ten races in the No. 19 car. He made his Xfinity debut at Richmond Raceway, starting 27th and finishing third, followed by a thirteenth at Martinsville and an eleventh at Texas. On October 16, 2024, it was announced that Gray would run full-time for the 2025 season in the No. 54 Toyota. At the Martinsville Spring race in 2025, Gray was leading after an overtime restart but was spun by Sammy Smith, losing the win as Austin Hill ultimately took the victory. Despite being eliminated from the playoffs in the Round of 12, Gray later scored his first career Xfinity Series win at Martinsville.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gray has shown a knack for short-track and intermediate racing, often running at the front late in races. His maturity behind the wheel has been praised by his Joe Gibbs Racing teams, and he has built strong relationships with his crew chiefs. His willingness to defend his position, as seen in his post-race confrontations at Martinsville, has also highlighted his competitive fire.
Notable Races and Milestones
Gray’s first career Xfinity Series win came at Martinsville Speedway, a track known for its demanding short-track layout. He has also produced memorable performances at Phoenix Raceway, Pocono, and Dover, where he has been a consistent contender. His first Truck Series top-ten came at Martinsville in 2021, while his best Truck Series playoff result came with a fourth-place run at Martinsville in 2024.
Taylor Gray Career Wins
Taylor Gray has recorded wins across the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, CARS Late Model Stock Tour, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. His victories have spanned ovals of all shapes and sizes, including short tracks, intermediates, and road courses.
Xfinity Series Highlights
Gray competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 54 Toyota GR Supra. His first career Xfinity Series win came at Martinsville Speedway, where he held off challenges to claim the victory. He has continued to develop his skills as he grows within the Joe Gibbs Racing driver development program.
Other Wins and Performances
Gray’s ARCA East and ARCA West campaigns included multiple wins, including victories at Dover, Mid-Ohio, Pocono, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring, and Phoenix Raceway. In the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, he won at Hickory Motor Speedway in only his second start. He has also earned top-five and top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, including runner-up results at Kansas.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Xfinity Series | 1 | Multiple | 0 |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 0 | Multiple | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series East | Multiple | Multiple | 0 |
Taylor Gray Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Taylor Gray comes from a multi-generational racing family. His grandfather, Johnny Gray, is a Funny Car driver and businessman who co-owns Tricon Garage and previously served as the president of Marbob Energy. His father, Shane Gray, competed as a drag racer in the NHRA. His older brother, Tanner Gray, races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Tricon Garage, driving the No. 15 Toyota Tundra.
Personal Life
Outside of racing, Taylor Gray enjoys wakeboarding as a hobby. He was raised in Artesia, New Mexico, before pursuing his racing career full-time. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Taylor Gray runs his first full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series season behind the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. The year began with strong runs but also featured difficult moments, including the late-race spin at the Martinsville Spring race that cost him a victory. Despite being eliminated from the playoffs in the Round of 12, Gray bounced back with his first career Xfinity Series win at Martinsville later in the season.
Gray’s 2025 campaign has been defined by his competitive pace and growth as a driver within the Joe Gibbs Racing system. His ability to recover from setbacks, both on and off the track, has been a hallmark of his young career. With a full season of experience in the Xfinity Series now under his belt, Gray is positioned to be a playoff contender in the seasons ahead.