Grayson Cullather is coming off his best season in racing in 2017 where he broke through for his first career Late Model win at Southside Speedway and turned heads with a 12th place finish at Martinsville Speedway in the prestigious ValleyStar Credit Union 300.
Cullather is now looking to take his racing program to the next level. He will join Tommy Lemons, Jr’s Jumpstart Motorsports for the 2018 season with eyes on the CARS Tour full time. Cullather already has a pair of top ten finishes in the CARS Tour after competing in the QDMA Duels at Dominion Raceway last year.
His 2017 performances coupled with his new ride have Cullather looking forward to a big season of racing.
“We had a great 2017 season,” commented Cullather. “Getting a win at Southside in the season finale and going to Martinsville and running like we did was great. We’re looking forward to moving to the CARS Tour and working with Tommy (Lemons) this season.”
Cullather and his family made the decision to go to Jumpstart Motorsports after careful consideration of their options for the 2018 season.
“We fell in love with his operation and how awesome Tommy is,” continued Cullather. “I’ve still gotta thank Chris Edwards and my entire Southside team & car owner Greg Holt for all they did for me and for all the stuff we accomplished together. I’m looking forward to getting into one of Tommy’s cars and seeing where we stack up.”
Lemons is also looking forward to having Cullather behind the wheel of one of his cars.
“I didn’t know much about Grayson but I had seen his Martinsville results,” said Lemons. “A mutual acquaintance gave me his dads number and said he may be interested in running with us this year, so I called him and they came down to the shop and looked at what we had to offer.”
“We hope to be a stepping stone for Grayson’s career as he continues to move up the ladder. It’ll be really cool to look back and be able to say he raced for us when he makes it to the upper echelon of racing.”
Cullather has chosen to compete in the CARS Tour because of the exposure that the series offers.
“The exposure is great,” said Cullather. “You look at William Byron and Christopher Bell coming through there on there way to NASCAR’s top series. Plus you race a different track every week and that gives you so much more experience and really prepares you more for the big races like Martinsville and Myrtle Beach at the end of the year.”
Cullather is hoping to run in the top five and compete for wins in the CARS Tour. He will also run a select number of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series races including the Virginia Triple Crown which includes the 200-lap race at South Boston Speedway, the Hampton Heat at Langley Speedway and the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway. Plus he plans to compete in Denny Hamlin’s Short Track Showdown at Langley Speedway as well as the Myrtle Beach 400 at Myrtle Beach Speedway and the Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park.
Cullather additionally will be bringing his spotter Jesse Vaughn along with him to Jumpstart Motorsports. The two have worked together for much of the last two seasons despite Vaughn having spotter duties in other series. Cullather says it was important for him to have Vaughn with him this season.
“He’s one of a kind,” Cullather said of Vaughn. “He gives me the right info at the right time and really keeps me where I need to be behind the wheel. No other spotter gives me the information like he does.”
Vaughn is also excited about working with Cullather full-time in the upcoming season.
“Grayson and his family have taken me in like family,” commented Vaughn. “I’ve worked with all kinds of big name drivers and this is the most excited I’ve ever been. He has a lot of talent. I gave up a spotting job in the K&N Series because I believe in Grayson and want to work with him.”
Cullather will be looking to make a name for himself this season and he’s put the pieces and parts in place to make that happen even against the toughest competition in Late Model Stock Car racing.
For more information on Grayson Cullather check out his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Gmanracing22/
