Gaulding Reveals How He ‘Barely Passed’ the Final-Lap Wreck at Daytona for a NASCAR Career Best Second-Place Finish

Gray Gaulding secured his second top-five finish in NASCAR on Friday at the Daytona International Speedway. However, it did not come easily and he could very well have been part of a multi-car wreck in the final stage that cost the then leader AJ Allmendinger. In hindsight, Gaulding felt he had a ‘VIP seat’ to the dramatic incident that gave Justin Haley the win.

The wreck was the result of contact between Ross Chastain and Allmendinger. Chastain tried to make a pass to grab the lead from Allmendinger and ended up hitting him from behind. That sent both of them spinning and into the wall and Haley passed them. Chastain, Allmendinger, and Haley are all Kaulig Racing teammates.

Gray Gaulding explains the incident from the Daytona Xfinity race

“That was a VIP seat to that wreck that I had. I can’t believe they wrecked each other. I know they’re trying to race for the win, but you’ve seen Kaulig (Racing) over the last year or two,” Gaulding said after the race. “They really know how to bully the field and they do a great job of it. So it was crazy to see them wreck,” he added.

Gaulding then explained his situation during the incident. Gaulding expressed that he barely missed one of the cars in the wreck and was fortunate to pass through it.

“Thank God I went through the middle, I was running by 8th or 9th. I saw a small opening through the middle, which, there really wasn’t a gap there and I forced my way in. I just had to go for it…,” Gaulding said further. “I barely cleared, I think it was the 10 (car) or whoever it was that got crashed. I barely cleared him with the right front,” he further added, on how he managed to secure second place.

On his future in NASCAR

Gray Gaulding has a couple of races left with Rick Ware Racing in the Cup Series before the season ends. He currently competes part-time but is looking for a full-time contract next year.

“I really want to be back here full-time next year. Or just something competitive that I can show up and have days like today,” he said, adding that he is confident of succeeding as a full-time driver.

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