Rising star Gray Leadbetter to make ARX2 debut

Gray Leadbetter will make her Americas Rallycross debut at this weekends 2019 season opener at Mid-Ohio in the ARX2 class.

The highly-rated 14-year-old will race for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the single make Supercar Lites category, alongside series veterans Alex Keyes and Cole Keatts.

“I am thrilled to join the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing ARX2 Rallycross team in 2019,” said Leadbetter. “I recently tested the DRR ARX2 car alongside some of my new teammates, and I feel like the car fits my driving style well.”

“It’s gotten me even more excited to compete this season. I’m grateful for the opportunity that Dennis, Buddy and Oil2Soil are providing me, and I’m excited to work with seasoned veterans of the sport. I can’t wait to get to Mid-Ohio for the ARX2 season opener.”

Dreyer & Reinbold team boss Dennis Reinbold added: “We are very excited to add Gray to our ARX2 Rallycross driver lineup in 2019. The DRR team recently tested Gray in one of our ARX2 cars and was extremely impressive, especially for her young age.”

“But Gray’s vast racing experience in a variety of motorsport disciplines proves she is much more advanced as a driver for just being 14 years old,” he added. “We look forward to having Gray develop her racing craft in the Oil2Soil DRR ARX2 car this year.”

Leadbetter has been racing on both two wheels and four since the age of three, and has been on the fringes of the professional US rallycross scene for a number of years, and despite her tender age, she already has an impressive CV.

After beginning her career on 50cc motorcycles, Leadbetter went on to win back-to-back regional amateur Arenacross championships and an international karting title. She has also competed in off-road and dirt oval racing.

In addition to her racing experience, Leadbetter has previously took part in the in the FlatOut and DirtFish Rally events, where she was the youngest driver; participated in the 2018 Winter Subaru driving event in Wisconsin, and was also the recipient of the 2018 Pippa Mann Scholarship which gave her the chance to take part in the Lucas Oil School of Racing.

In recent years she has tested rallycross and stock car machinery as well, and has had seat time in single seaters and high-performance road cars alongside coach Buddy Rice, the winner of the 2004 Indianapolis 500. She participated in the recent group ARX2 test in Indianapolis alongside IndyCar stars Sage Karam and JR Hildebrand, among others.

“Gray’s inner drive to be the best every time she gets behind the wheel can’t be taught,” said Rice, who also serves as the technical director for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s ARX2 squad. “She has the skill of drivers much older and the ability to drive a variety of vehicles competitively.”

“I am looking forward to developing her abilities to be a champion in the next few years and expanding her talent into a long career in four-wheel racing.”