While Gravel said Gordon has given him some advice on what to expect as he transitions into the NASCAR world, the Nutmeg State native also proved he’s a quick study in his own right as well.
Gravel was second-quick during the Jan. 10-11 ARCA Menards Series test session at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
He’ll run the ARCA kickoff with KBR Development — a team that has an alliance with GMS — to gain approval from NASCAR to compete on the mile-and-a-half tracks that will make up the majority of his partial schedule.
Though Gravel’s best lap in the Daytona test came in the draft, he said the strong test session bolstered his confidence and gives him the belief that he’ll be able to contend during Speedweeks.
“The Daytona stuff is tricky with drafting and using your mirrors and not getting in trouble, so it’s certainly a lot of things that I’m not used to that I’m having to learn,” Gravel said. “I think all my friends around me that are in the NASCAR ranks are definitely going to shorten out my learning curve, though. Jeff has told me a few things about what I can expect, and I think we did learn a lot in the test, as well.
“Our single car runs, we were down a little bit (on speed), but to end up second fastest in the draft … I think it did show a lot of our potential,” he continued. “The car is sucked up pretty good and I know the boys are going to be working on the car even more. I expect us to even have a better race car coming here in February and I am excited for what’s still to come, for sure.”
Despite the fact he won’t run the complete World of Outlaws schedule this year, Gravel will still be in the seat of the No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing sprint car for the majority of the tour’s 85-race slate, including all the crown jewel events — the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, National Open and more.
Gravel wants to push himself as far forward as he can, regardless of which surface he’s competing on.
“I think that, if anybody is in a field of work, they always want to try to move up and better themselves. I feel that over the long run, the NASCAR ranks are better for a driver as far as safety and financial (security),” Gravel added. “When I look at this for my future, I think that if I could be like Christopher Bell or Kyle Larson, I’ll be extremely happy. I’d love to race some dirt on the side and be able to race on pavement (regularly) also.
“I’m looking forward to this. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to chase, and now that I’m getting older … hopefully it’s not too late and I can still prove to people that I’ve got what it takes.”
If he doesn’t get where he wants to in NASCAR? Gravel knows there’s still plenty left he can do in the dirt world.
“I don’t view this as a risky decision at all,” he said. “If it works out, awesome. The potential there (in NASCAR) is huge and a lot of people realize that, I think. If it doesn’t work out, sprint car racing will still be there to come back to. I’m just excited for this year and can’t wait to get it going.”
Gravel will begin his dirt season with the World of Outlaws Feb. 7-9 at Volusia Speedway Park during the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford, with his ARCA Menards Series run at Daytona Int’l Speedway falling in the middle of that weekend on Feb. 8.