CARMEL, Ind. – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has announced the signing of teenage racer Gray Leadbetter to campaign the Oil2Soil-sponsored DRR ARX2 Rallycross car this year in the nine-race American Rallycross Championship ARX2 Series.
Leadbetter, 14, has already experienced a well-rounded motorsports career which has included two-wheel and four-wheel competition despite her young age. Her racing experience started with a 50cc motorcycle at age three, but since then, Leadbetter has gone on to win back-to-back regional amateur Arenacross championships and an international karting title, as well as compete in UTV off-road racing and Mini-Outlaw sprints.
Trained by 2004 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Rice, Leadbetter has also recently tested a Dodge Hellcat, Dodge Viper, Formula Mazda, ARX2 Rallycross car, RX2 Rallycross car in Europe as well as a late model at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Leadbetter’s accomplishments also include being the youngest driver in the FlatOut and Dirt Fish Rally events, as well as a participant in the 2018 Winter Subaru driving event in Wisconsin. She was also the recipient of the 2018 Pippa Mann Scholarship that rewarded her with a chance to participate in the Lucas Oil School of Racing.
“Gray’s inner drive to be the best every time she gets behind the wheel can’t be taught,” said Rice, the technical director for the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing ARX2 team. “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.”
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing earlier announced two ARX2 entries in the 2019 ARX2 Rallycross season with young Cole Keatts in a full-time series ride as well as veteran Indy 500 driver Sage Karam in selected ARX2 competitions.
“We are very excited to add Gray to our ARX2 Rallycross driver lineup in 2019,” said Dennis Reinbold, the veteran team owner of the DRR organization which also includes two Indy 500 entries. “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 motorsports disciplines proves she is much more advanced as a driver for just being 14 years old. We look forward to have Gray develop her racing craft in the Oil2Soil DRR ARX2 car this year.”
“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.”