Taylor Gray rallied all day to claim his first career runner-up finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. (Photo Credit: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
FORT WORTH, Texas — Despite being behind the eight-ball during Saturday’s 200-lap NASCAR Xfinity Series showdown at Texas Motor Speedway, Taylor Gray was able to persevere his way through the field several times to rally to a second-place effort behind race winner Kyle Larson.
This finish marks the best Xfinity Series finish in the young Artesia, New Mexico natives career through 21 series starts. His career best before Saturday afternoon’s showing was a third-place effort in last year’s spring trip to Richmond Raceway with Joe Gibbs Racing.
After beginning the afternoon in 12th spot alongside Blaine Perkins, Gray strategically attempted to move up through the field as the race went on.
During the race, it almost took a disastrous turn when Gray experienced a significant left-front tire rub off the fender of Corey Day due to a 12-car collision during the lap-98 restart that began the final stage.
After going into the pits for repairs, he had to navigate through heavy traffic to position himself for a late-race comeback. He received a fortunate break when a caution flag came out with 45 laps remaining, just as several drivers were in the middle of a green-flag pit cycle.
After the final caution came out for a spinning Jeremy Clements exiting Turn 2, Gray saddled up for what turned out to be the final and most crucial restart of the event, lining up behind defending Texas winner Sam Mayer in the second attempt of NASCAR overtime.
Gray was able to break away down the backstretch as the field exited off Turn 2, following Larson in pursuit after Nick Sanchez slapped the wall with Mayer sliding way up the track.
Anthony Alfredo (No. 42) and Taylor Gray (No.54) warming their tires under caution in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. (Photo Credit: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
Gray maintained a two-car length gap over JGR teammate Riley Herbst all the way to the runner-up finish, leading the rookie charge after 300 miles of scrappy racing.
“I can’t thank all of my Joe Gibbs Racing guys enough for bringing me a fast Toyota Supra,” said Gray after the impressive finish.
“I tried to ruin our day a few times for us, just with dumb mistakes, towards the beginning and middle of the race, but it just kind of shows how tough this No. 54 group is, being able to fight back and get a good finish.”
Gray also pointed out what more he could’ve achieved in the closing laps of the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday, but also pointed out the mistakes he made through the event.
“No, I don’t think so. I really tried to ruin our day in the first half of the race, just making dumb mistakes, but proud of all of my guys, being able to come back from those mistakes and be able to have a good finish out of it. It sucks to finish second, I want to go win.”
Gray currently ranks 14th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings as the series begins its first off weeks. The 2025 season kicked off with 12 consecutive weekends of racing before the tour resumes at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bet MGM 300 during Memorial Day weekend.
