In Tragedy, David Gilliland Racing Rises Above

On Tuesday, the transporter hauling the No. 17 ARCA Menards Series entry for David Gilliland Racing to Phoenix Raceway was involved in a fatal wreck. One of the co-drivers of the hauler, Steven Stotts, passed away from the accident that occurred in Longview, TX. The team decided that they would race in Friday’s event in Phoenix with their 17-year-old driver, Taylor Gray, as scheduled.

In an event dominated by Sammy Smith and Kyle Busch Motorsports, Gray found the lead late in the race and held off a surge of speed from Smith, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye to bring home the victory.

Gray’s car carried the names of all three passengers that were in the hauler at the time of the accident.

Sports360AZ’s San Tan Ford coverage of the weekend at Phoenix Raceway continues tomorrow for the Xfinity Series United Rentals 200.