TRUCKS: Grala back full-time with GMS Racing

NASCAR has another full-time teen driver in its national series ranks with the announcement by GMS Racing that Massachusetts native Kaz Grala will drive its No. 33 Chevy in all 23 rounds of the the 2017 Camping World Truck Series. The soon-to-be 18-year-old rookie, a part-time driver at GMS in 2016, had three top-10 results in his nine races and has now earned a larger opportunity to step up to full-time competition with the team.

In recent years, Grala has made a name for himself in Late Model racing. In his first race at Hickory Motor Speedway, he won the 2013 UARA 150 and became the youngest winner in series history. The following year, he became the youngest NASCAR winner in Caraway Speedway history when he held off the Whelen All-American Series national champion to win the 171-lap event.

In 2015, Grala won his Pro All Stars Series debut at South Boston Speedway with a dominant performance, leading 131 of 150 laps. He's also excelled in road course events, winning the 12 hours of NJMP, the 13 hours of VIR, and also made competed in last January's Rolex 24 at Daytona in a GTD class Lamborghini.

"I am beyond thankful to have an opportunity with GMS Racing to run full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2017. This organization has been on a steep rise the past couple of years, and it's been fun being a part of it in 2016," said Grala.

Joining the GMS Racing stable in 2017 is veteran crew chief Jerry Baxter, who claims time in the principal team role in all three of NASCAR's top racing series, dating back to 1986. Baxter has spent the past four seasons with Kyle Busch Motorsports and in 2016 with rookie Chase contender Christopher Bell.

"I'm looking forward to next season with GMS and working through this transition with Kaz," said Baxter. "I really enjoy helping young drivers get started in this series and developing their talent, and I saw what Kaz accomplished in the few races he ran last season.