NASCAR sports opposing shades. On the racetrack, drivers compete with each other in hot-headed pursuits of the lead, frequently falling out in conflicts. But amidst this high-octane chaos, there is also the sense of a close-knit family. After all, 76 years of existence have lent a nostalgia to the sport that calls each one of its drivers its own. Now is the time to remember that spirit of unity, as a former Xfinity Series driver goes through a difficult time.

Gray Gaulding was a paragon of excellence when he was active on NASCAR’s racetracks. He reeled under setbacks in 2024 that put his career on pause. With no plans of getting back to the racetrack in 2025, Gaulding was out of the spotlight. However, the NASCAR community has taken note of his recent loss and stands with him.

NASCAR loses a former driver’s pillar of support

When a racer carves out their career, they get support from various people. They could be in the motorsports world, like a team member or a media member. That is why the NASCAR garage was visibly shaken when Al Pearce and Jon Edwards passed away last week. Pearce was a dedicated historian and journalist in the sport and had plans to attend the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 race. Edwards was the director of marketing and PR in Hendrick Motorsports, having guided star-studded drivers like Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson. Yet besides these entities that work on the racetrack, there are also people who miss the spotlight. They are the beloved family members or friends who quietly and resiliently support from the shadows. And NASCAR lost one of them recently.

Since 2014, Gray Gaulding has made 19 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series, 79 in Xfinity, and 60 in Cup. Gaulding dazzled best in a pair of runner-up efforts in Xfinity – in 2019 at Talladega and 2020 at Daytona. But part of the force that drove him to those good finishes is gone now. In a recent Instagram story, Gaulding posted a picture of himself saying prayers at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Beside him stood an elderly lady, sporting a charismatic smile and hugging him. She was his grandmother, and she recently passed away.

Gray Gaulding penned a heartfelt tribute to his bygone loved one. “Very bittersweet today. I know it’s Easter and it’s supposed to be a great day but unfortunately I got the news in church today with my family that my Grandma Coral passed away late last night…gonna miss this woman terribly. This picture was me and her saying the prayer before the Homestead race. Just really gonna miss her! Strongest woman I’ve ever known and we love you and miss you already grandma! We know you will always look down on us ❤️rip.”

Gray Gaulding last competed in 2023 when he made 11 starts in the Xfinity Series and one in the Cup Series. Racing for SS-Green Light Racing, Gaulding fetched a pair of top-ten finishes in Xfinity. Although the Daytona runner-up finisher has no plans yet, he may come back soon. After all, paying tribute to his lost loved one may be on top of his to-do list at present.

As Gaulding mourns the passing of his grandmother, NASCAR stands by him. The sport recently lost another jewel who was also not in the spotlight.

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Remembering a trend-setting team owner

During the Bristol weekend, most of the attention was on two heartbreaking losses. Al Pearce and Jon Edwards departed for the divine realm, and the entire Cup Series garage paid tribute to them. Kyle Larson made it a point to dedicate his Xfinity and Cup victories to his former PR manager. However, another glittering personality in the sport also passed away, and Denny Hamlin acknowledged him. That entity was Shigeaki Hattori, a former driver and championship-winning NASCAR team owner.

As a driver, Hattori started his journey in go-karts, Formula 2, and Formula 3 in Japan. After moving to the US in 1995, he built a name for himself in IndyCar and NASCAR, where he became a team owner in 2008. His Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) team won the 2018 Craftsman Truck Series championship with Brett Moffitt.

Hattori tragically lost his life in a two-vehicle collision on NC Highway 73. HRE released an emotional statement: “We are heartbroken to confirm that Shigeaki ‘Shige’ Hattori was pronounced deceased on the morning of Saturday, April 5, in Huntersville, N.C., following a motor vehicle accident… Shige was known for his relentless drive, focus, and competitive spirit. Team ownership through HRE and Hattori Motorsports had become both his passion and his life’s work. He had a unique gift to constantly inject a light-hearted attitude and one-of-a-kind sense of humor into his race teams that will never be forgotten. We’ll miss you dearly. Farewell, Shige.”

NASCAR has lost a golden group of entities in recent weeks, with Gray Gaulding’s grandmother being the latest. Their memories will make a lasting impact on the sport, and we at Essentially Sports offer Gaulding our deepest condolences.