Tanner Gray finally gets first ARCA Menards Series win

Tanner Gray picked up his first career ARCA Menards Series win in the General Tire 150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Gray wheeled the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to the win in his 19th start in the series and fourth of the season.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though.

Early on, Gray lost a lap due to a flat tire. Then, he couldn’t get the free pass at the halfway competition caution on lap 50.

While Gray had issues, the No. 2 of Andres Perez De Lara, the No. 6 of Lavar Scott and the No. 82 of Carson Kvapil put on quite the battle for the lead. Kvapil had taken the lead in the No. 82 and looked to have the race in hand.

Then, a debris yellow with 28 laps to go finally gave Gray the free pass.

Despite restarting at the back of the field, the Gray had driven his No. 18 Toyota all the way to third. He was about to pass the No. 2 car and try running down the No. 82 when another caution bunched up the field.

Choosing to stay out for track position, Gray went from third to first.

Gray still managed to hold off hard charges from Kvapil and Perez, who both had fresh tires, to take the checkered flag.

Perez finished third and extended his points lead in the drivers championship.

The big underdog story was Will Kimmel finishing 4th in the family-owned No. 69 Ford.

Gray will return to the No. 18 car at Michigan International Speedway. He is the primary driver until ARCA East contender William Sawalich takes over the No. 81 car at the short tracks and road courses.

Catch the ARCA Menards Series next on June 14th at Iowa Speedway, live on FS1.