Tanner Sean Gray Bio
Tanner Sean Gray (born April 15, 1999) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage. Gray is the youngest professional driver to win a national event in NHRA history and the youngest driver to win a solo NHRA season championship.
Early Life and Background
Tanner Gray was born in Artesia, New Mexico, to Shane and Amber Gray. He comes from a prominent racing family; his father Shane is a professional drag racer and national event champion, and his grandfather Johnny Gray was a funny car and pro stock champion. The Gray family relocated to Mooresville, North Carolina, in 2010 to support Shane’s NHRA career. Tanner’s younger brother, Taylor Gray, is also a NASCAR driver competing full-time in the Xfinity Series.
Growing up surrounded by motorsports, Tanner was exposed to racing from an early age. He raced various types of cars, including Late models, modifieds, Midget cars, and stock cars, often competing on oval dirt tracks near Mooresville. This diverse background helped develop his skills across multiple racing disciplines.
Path to NASCAR
Gray began his professional racing career in 2017 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock class, where he made history as the youngest driver to win a national event. After achieving significant success in drag racing, including winning the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock Championship, Gray transitioned to stock car racing. In 2019, he joined DGR-Crosley to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, marking his entry into NASCAR’s developmental ladder.
His move to NASCAR was influenced by meeting team owner David Gilliland in 2018. Tanner quickly adapted to stock car racing, earning his first win at South Boston Speedway in the K&N Pro Series East. He continued to compete part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East, sharing rides with his brother and other drivers.
Tanner Sean Gray Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Gray’s early career was highlighted by his achievements in NHRA drag racing. In 2017, he became the youngest professional driver to win a national NHRA event and earned the NHRA Auto Club Road to the Future Award as the top rookie across all pro categories. The following year, he won eight races en route to capturing the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock Championship, becoming the youngest driver to win an NHRA season title.
During this period, Tanner also gained experience racing various car types on dirt tracks, which contributed to his versatility as a driver. His success in drag racing established him as a rising talent in motorsports before transitioning fully to stock car racing.
ARCA and NASCAR Development (2019–2020)
In 2019, Gray announced his move to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with DGR-Crosley, where he secured his first win at South Boston Speedway. He also competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East in 2020, sharing the No. 17 car with his brother Taylor Gray and Anthony Alfredo. This period marked his gradual shift from drag racing to stock car competition.
Gray made his NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series debut in October 2019 at Martinsville Speedway, running a limited schedule. In 2020, he committed to a full-time Truck Series season with DGR-Crosley, driving the No. 15 Ford F-150. He earned eight top-ten finishes and four top-fives, finishing 14th in points and fifth in the Rookie of the Year standings.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Gray continued with David Gilliland Racing in 2021 but faced challenges, finishing 18th in points with only two top-ten finishes. He improved in 2022, achieving six top tens and two top fives, including three consecutive top-ten finishes early in the season, finishing 15th in points. In late 2022, the team transitioned to Toyota Racing Development and rebranded as Tricon Garage, with Gray remaining as a driver.
In 2023, Gray drove the No. 15 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage. He started the season strong with a career-best second-place finish at Daytona and earned his first career pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He completed the season 14th in points. In November 2024, Tricon Garage renewed Gray’s contract for the 2025 season, signaling confidence in his continued development.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tanner Gray is known for his adaptability across different racing disciplines, combining the precision of drag racing with the strategic racecraft required in stock car competition. He performs well on intermediate tracks and has demonstrated strong qualifying speed, as evidenced by his pole position at Charlotte. His partnership with Tricon Garage supports his growth with consistent equipment and team support.
Notable Races and Milestones
Gray’s signature moments include his historic NHRA win at age 17, his 2018 Pro Stock Championship, and his breakthrough performances in the NASCAR Truck Series, such as his runner-up finish at Daytona and first career pole at Charlotte. These milestones highlight his progression from drag racing prodigy to competitive NASCAR driver.
Tanner Sean Gray Career Wins
Tanner Gray has accumulated notable victories in both NHRA drag racing and NASCAR’s developmental series. His eight wins in the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock season secured him the championship, making him the youngest NHRA season champion. In stock car racing, he has earned wins in the ARCA Menards Series East and continues to build his resume in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
NHRA Pro Stock Highlights
Gray’s NHRA career peaked with the 2018 Pro Stock Championship, where he won eight races. His first NHRA national event win came in 2017 at the Denso Spark Plug Nationals, setting a record as the youngest winner in NHRA history. This success established his reputation as a top drag racing talent before transitioning to stock cars.
ARCA Menards Series East Highlights
In the ARCA Menards Series East, Gray secured his first win at South Boston Speedway in 2019. He has competed part-time in ARCA events, gaining valuable experience on a variety of tracks and preparing for full-time competition in higher NASCAR series.
Tanner Sean Gray Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tanner Gray is a third-generation racer in the NHRA, following his father Shane Gray and grandfather Johnny Gray, both accomplished drag racers. Johnny Gray also served as president of Marbob Energy, a successful New Mexico oil company. The Gray family’s deep roots in motorsports have influenced Tanner’s career path and provided a strong support network.
Personal Life
The Gray family moved to Mooresville, North Carolina, in 2010 to facilitate Shane Gray’s NHRA career. Tanner currently resides in Mooresville. His younger brother, Taylor Gray, races full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. Tanner maintains an active presence on social media but has kept his personal relationships private.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 season, Tanner Gray is set to continue driving the No. 15 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With his contract renewed, the team aims to build on the momentum from his 2023 season, focusing on consistent top finishes and potential playoff contention. Gray’s experience and familiarity with the team position him well for further growth.
The 2025 campaign will test Gray’s ability to convert qualifying speed into race wins and strengthen his position as a competitive driver in the Truck Series. Team dynamics and crew chief collaboration will be key factors in his pursuit of higher standings and career milestones.
