MOORESVILLE, N.C. — David Gilliland Racing officials announced Thursday that veteran crew chief Jerry Baxter will join the team to lead the No. 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry with driver Tanner Gray next season.
Baxter brings a wealth of knowledge to the young Truck Series team with more than 35 years of experience in NASCAR.
The 2022 Truck Series season will mark Gray’s third full-time year, and first under the guidance of Baxter. Baxter returns to the Truck Series after spending the last two seasons as a crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richard Petty Motorsports. In his Truck Series career, the California native has 16 wins, 59 top-five and 104 top-10 finishes, and 10 pole awards. Most recently in the Truck Series, Baxter guided Brett Moffitt to four wins in 2019.
“Jerry’s passion and history with the Truck Series will be a great addition to DGR,” said David Gilliland, co-owner of David Gilliland Racing. “His experience will be able to provide Tanner with the tools he needs to be a successful driver.”
Baxter’s experience in the Truck Series dates back to 1998 with driver Boris Said at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. Said started from the second position and went on to win the event after leading 47 laps under Baxter’s tutelage. Throughout his NASCAR career, Baxter has called 84 Cup Series and 194 Xfinity Series races in addition to 186 Truck Series races.
“I’m thrilled to be joining DGR and working with Tanner,” said Jerry Baxter, No. 15 crew chief. “Tanner is a great young man and he’s eager to perform well behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to working with him and helping him get to the next level.”
Baxter’s first on-track activity with Gray is scheduled to be at the Truck Series manufacturer’s test at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Dec. 6.
“I can’t wait to work with Jerry,” said Gray. “He has a lot of experience across the sport and a proven track record in the Truck Series. I’m still learning week in and week out, so it will be nice to have consistency next season with a veteran voice in my ear. I’m excited to work together to get the No. 15 Ford Performance F-150 running up front where it belongs.”