Panini America is set to reunite with Gray Gaulding and SS Green Light Racing for a multi-race sponsorship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the driver announced on Wednesday.
The company, which has sponsored Gaulding in his previous full-time efforts with SS Green Light Racing and Jimmy Means Racing, will adorn the No. 08 Chevrolet Camaro starting at Daytona.
“When Gray [Gaulding] reached out and shared with me that he was returning with SS Green Light for the 2023 season, it was like a no-brainer to rekindle the magic we had previously in 2019 and 2020,” said Jason Howarth, Vice President of Marketing at Panini America. “After speaking with SS Green Light owner Boby Dotter about his plan for Gray, it only reinforced that we could attempt something special. We can’t wait for Daytona.”
Gaulding, who will turn 25 on Friday, returns to the NASCAR Xfinity Series on a full-time basis in 2023, driving a second entry for Bobby Dotter and SS Green Light Racing.
A native of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Gaulding has made 68 previous starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, scoring a pair of top-five finishes, and six top-10s, over the course of his two-season tenure with SS Green Light Racing.
“I cannot express how grateful and pumped I am to be back at the track full-time with our sponsor partner Panini America along with Bobby Dotter and all my guys at SS Green Light,” said Gaulding. “Jason and Bobby continue to believe in my ability as a brand ambassador and driver and I do not plan to let them down. We started this journey together in 2019, I know that I am where I belong and could not ask for a better opportunity. I am confident that we will have an amazing season and will try our hardest to make the chase.”
In Gaulding’s one full-time season with SS Green Light Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the driver picked up four top-10s, en-route to a 13th-place point finish.
“I’m really looking forward to rekindling our relationship this year and picking up where we left off in 2019,” said team owner Bobby Dotter. “It feels like Gray was just making laps in my parking lot in Bandoleros and after partnering with Gray in 2019 and 2020, I think there are still some magical moments ahead in 2023.”
