By Dustin Albino
Gray Gaulding is slated to run the full 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule for Means Motorsports, sources have informed Jayski.com.
Gaulding, 21, will replace Kody Vanderwal, who announced last week (Jan. 17) he wouldn’t be returning to the team for a second season.
In 2020, Gaulding competed in six Xfinity events, scoring a runner-up finish (tying his career best) at Daytona International Speedway in August. The Virginia native also finished inside the top 10 at Talladega Superspeedway in June, placing eighth. Additionally, Gaulding ran in nine Cup Series races for Rick Ware Racing with a best effort of 25th at Texas Motor Speedway and two Camping World Truck Series events with Reaume Brothers Racing.
The 2021 season will mark Gaulding’s second year as a full-time driver in Xfinity, as he finished 13th in the championship standings with four top-10 results in 2019 with SS Green Light Racing.
Tim Brown will return to Means Motorsports for an eighth full-time season as crew chief and 13th year as part of Jimmy Means’ race team.
An official announcement is expected to come in the coming days.