GK Racing Overview
GK Racing is an American professional stock car racing team based in Clarksville, Tennessee. Founded in 2011, the team competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, fielding the No. 95 Chevrolet Silverado primarily for co-owner and driver Clay Greenfield. The team’s identity has been shaped by repeated name changes, beginning as Alger Motorsports, then becoming Clay Greenfield Motorsports, before adopting the current GK Racing branding in 2023.
Ownership of the team is shared among Clay Greenfield and his wife Tandra, a former NFL cheerleader, along with Jordan and Theresa Kiss, owners of Backyard Blues Pools, which serves as the team’s main sponsor. Billy Alger, a former co-owner, drove for the team during its earlier years in what is now the ARCA Menards Series. Despite a history of limited victories and pole positions, GK Racing remains active on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit.
Founding and Organizational Origins
GK Racing traces its origins to 2011, when the operation was established as Alger Motorsports by Billy Alger. The team’s early focus was part-time competition in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, beginning with the WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas in 2011. The original setup was modest, centered on a part-time schedule whenever funding permitted, reflecting the small-shop nature typical of independent stock car operations of that era.
Wayne Edwards was an early driver for the team, attempting to qualify the No. 68 truck at Chicago, although the entry failed to qualify. In 2012, the team expanded slightly by fielding the No. 86 for Scott Riggs and Blake Koch in a start-and-park effort, while also giving Clay Greenfield his first seat in the No. 68. These early seasons laid the groundwork for what would eventually become a more defined team structure.
By 2013, the operation was renamed Clay Greenfield Motorsports, marking a shift toward Greenfield’s growing role within the team. The renaming reflected both Greenfield’s increasing involvement as a driver and a desire to build a more consistent identity on the Truck Series circuit, even as the schedule remained part-time.
Growth Into NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Competition
The team’s progression in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has been gradual, shaped by financial realities and ownership transitions. After the 2013 season, which concluded with six starts and a best finish of thirteenth, the team settled into a part-time rhythm, attempting races primarily at superspeedways whenever funding allowed. This approach allowed the team to remain active without committing to the heavy operating costs of a full-season program.
In 2015 and 2016, the team expanded briefly into the ARCA Racing Series, fielding the No. 70 Chevrolet SS for co-owner Billy Alger. After this short-lived ARCA venture, Alger departed the team, making Greenfield its sole owner. The split marked another transition for the organization, with Greenfield taking on full operational responsibility.
A significant step forward came in 2020, when the team originally planned just eight races but ended up running nearly the full Craftsman Truck Series season. The expanded schedule was aided by mid-season changes following the COVID-19 pandemic break, when field sizes grew from 32 to 40 trucks due to the absence of qualifying. That same year, NASCAR on Fox commentator Jeff Hammond came out of retirement to serve as crew chief, adding notable experience to the team’s technical staff.
GK Racing Competitive Journey
Across more than a decade of competition, GK Racing has competed in 57 Craftsman Truck Series races and 4 ARCA Racing Series events, recording zero race victories and zero pole positions. The team’s journey reflects a persistent part-time philosophy, punctuated by periods of expanded scheduling and key partnerships that have shaped its competitive profile.
Early Seasons and Development (2011-2019)
The team’s earliest years under the Alger Motorsports banner were marked by limited entries and the challenges of qualifying into highly competitive Truck Series fields. Following the 2013 rebranding to Clay Greenfield Motorsports, the organization found its strongest early moment at the Eldora Speedway, where Greenfield battled Norm Benning in a last-chance qualifier to earn a starting spot. That effort stood out as a memorable display of perseverance for a small-budget operation.
Through 2014 and the years that followed, the team maintained a start-by-start approach, focusing largely on superspeedway events where smaller teams could occasionally take advantage of attrition. The decision to enter ARCA competition in 2015 and 2016 with the No. 70 Chevrolet SS provided additional track time for Billy Alger, though the program was short-lived. These seasons helped the team build technical knowledge and relationships within the broader NASCAR ecosystem.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2020-2023)
The 2020 season represented the team’s most ambitious effort to date. Originally scheduled for eight races, the pandemic-related expansion of field sizes gave Clay Greenfield Motorsports an unexpected opportunity to contest nearly the full season. The high-profile addition of Jeff Hammond as crew chief brought national attention and professional experience to the garage area, signaling a more serious competitive direction.
In 2021, Greenfield announced plans to run the full Truck Series schedule for the first time in the team’s history. However, the departure of primary sponsor Rackley Roofing, which left to partner with Willie Allen in forming the new Rackley WAR team, forced a scaling back. The team ended up attempting only four races that year, all with Greenfield behind the wheel, underscoring how sponsorship changes can dramatically reshape a small team’s calendar.
The 2022 season brought a complete pause, with no races attempted. Greenfield drove part-time for Cook Racing Technologies in the No. 84 truck, and the team’s former crew chief Tucker Wingo moved with him. The break set the stage for a significant restart in 2023, when Greenfield re-launched his own operation with new co-owners Jordan and Theresa Kiss of Backyard Blues Pools. The team was renamed GK Racing, with the initials representing each of the four co-owners’ last names.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023-Present)
Since rebranding as GK Racing in 2023, the team has returned to the Craftsman Truck Series with the No. 95 Chevrolet Silverado. The partnership with the Kiss family through Backyard Blues Pools has provided financial stability and a clear branding anchor. The team’s most recent recorded Craftsman Truck Series start was the 2024 Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega, confirming continued part-time activity at superspeedways.
Under the current structure, GK Racing operates with a focused part-time model, entering races when budgets allow and targeting events that suit its operational strengths. The collaboration among the Greenfield and Kiss families has positioned the team for steady, if selective, competition in one of NASCAR’s most demanding development series.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
GK Racing’s competitive identity centers on superspeedway events, where attrition and pack racing can create opportunities for well-positioned part-time entries. The team prioritizes cost-efficient operations, bringing the car home clean and maximizing finishing positions rather than chasing outright speed. This measured approach has allowed the organization to sustain a long presence in the Truck Series despite limited resources.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Among the team’s most notable moments are its 2011 debut at Texas, the 2013 Eldora qualifying battle against Norm Benning, the unexpectedly expanded 2020 schedule with Jeff Hammond as crew chief, and the 2023 relaunch as GK Racing with new co-owners. The transition from Alger Motorsports through Clay Greenfield Motorsports to the current branding represents the team’s most defining organizational evolution.
GK Racing Achievements and Results
GK Racing’s verified record across its Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series appearances includes 57 truck races and 4 ARCA events, with no victories and no pole positions. The team’s achievements are measured less in trophy counts and more in longevity, competitive perseverance, and the ability to remain active in NASCAR’s national touring ranks for more than a decade.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, GK Racing and its predecessor operations have made 57 starts since 2011. The team’s first appearance came at the 2011 WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas, while its most recent recorded start was the 2024 Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega. Despite zero wins and zero poles, the program has consistently qualified and competed across multiple superspeedway venues, reflecting steady preparation and reliable equipment.
Conference Achievements
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series does not formally organize competition by conferences in the manner of other professional sports leagues. As a result, GK Racing’s achievements are measured by individual race results and seasonal participation rather than conference titles. The team’s ability to compete consistently across multi-year campaigns remains its primary accomplishment at this competitive level.
Divisional Achievements
Similarly, the Craftsman Truck Series structure does not feature traditional divisions that produce championship standings. GK Racing’s divisional footprint is defined by its superspeedway-focused schedule, with entries primarily at high-speed ovals where the team has built its core operational experience over more than ten seasons.
Series Achievements
Across its combined Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series history, GK Racing has recorded 61 total starts, with the team’s ARCA program totaling 4 races between 2015 and 2016 through the No. 70 Chevrolet SS effort. The ARCA program’s debut came at the 2015 Southern Illinois 100 at DuQuoin, with its final recorded start at the 2016 Berlin ARCA 200. Together, these campaigns reflect a small but enduring presence in American stock car racing.