Ryan Sieg Replacing Gray Gaulding for Michigan

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

After 13 starts with BK Racing, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Gray Gaulding will not compete for the team in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

This comes one week after it was announced that crew chief Patrick Donahue and BK Racing would part ways after Pocono and Doug George would assume crew chief duties of the No. 23 Toyota Camry.

Behind the wheel of the No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry this weekend will be Ryan Sieg, who made his Premier Series debut at Dover International Speedway with BK Racing.

In the 13 starts, Gaulding’s best finish with the team was 20th at Talladega Superspeedway. That is also the only Cup race in which he has finished on the lead lap.

Gaulding also has 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts where he has one top five and two Top 10s. His best finish was fourth at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in 2014. In his two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he finished 13th on both occasions.

In total, Gaulding only has 30 career starts in NASCAR’s three National Series.

Gaulding Tweeted the news to his fans and followers,

I wanted to be the one to share the news with my fans and partners but I will not be racing the 23 this weekend at @MISpeedway pic.twitter.com/sTytMTQF3c

— Gray Gaulding (@graygaulding) June 13, 2017

Sieg finished 26th in his debut. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has two top fives and six Top 10s in 115 starts. Most of his Xfinity starts have come with his family-owned team, RSS Racing. Sieg’s best finish in the Xfinity Series is third, twice, both of which came at Daytona International Speedway.

Sieg also has seven Top 10s in 105 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with a best finish of sixth at Phoenix Raceway win 2012.

Sieg also Tweeted about the decision, expressing the disappointment for Gray’s position,

Just an FYI for everyone.The only thing BK wanted me to bring to the table was my driving shoes. Hate it for Gray. Great kid and driver. https://t.co/bcescv3woW

— Ryan Sieg Racing (@RyanSiegRacing) June 13, 2017

Now Sieg will focus on both the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Michigan.