FORT WORTH, Texas – Gray Gaulding will team with Jimmy Means Racing to run full time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, driving Means’ familiar No. 52 entry.
Gaulding’s longtime sponsor Panini America, the Official Trading Card Partner of NASCAR, will adorn the No. 52 Chevrolet Camaro for multiple races during the season.
The Virginia native debut with Means on Feb. 13 at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway during the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300.
Gaulding, who turns 23 Wednesday, returns to full-time status in the Xfinity Series after working through a limited schedule last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite those challenges, he earned two top-10 finishes in six starts, including a second-place finish at Daytona last August.
Gaulding finished 13th in the Xfinity Series standings in 2019 as the highest driver outside the playoffs. Since 2014, he has made 125 starts across NASCAR’s three national series.
“I am super pumped to return to the Xfinity Series this year, especially with Jimmy Means and his entire team, along with an amazing brand partner like Panini that continues to believe in me as I chase this dream,” said Gaulding. “Just like our great run in 2019 with Bobby Dotter, I am excited to work with a small team owner like Jimmy that has been behind the wheel and loves the sport of racing as much as I do.
“I am confident that, working together, we will have an amazing season and have a whole lot of fun out there grinding each week to try and make the playoffs!”
Means has fielded a car in the Xfinity Series since 2001 and has a combined 481 starts as an owner in the division, with one top-five and three top-10 finishes in recent years.
While Means’ team struggled to a 30th-place finish in driver points last year with driver Kody Vanderwal, the veteran owner is optimistic that Gaulding will be able to help elevate his team’s performance to new heights.
“I’m excited to have Gray Gaulding on board with us this season,” said Jimmy Means. “With his proven performance record, we hope to see some great finishes and improve our program in 2021.”
Other returning sponsors for Gaulding at Daytona include Kuykendall Hearing Aid Centers and Refi4Cash.com.