In an extraordinary ascent through Australian motorsport, 19-year-old Hunter Valley product Rylan Gray is preparing to compete for the Super2 Series championship in Adelaide this weekend before stepping up to a full-time Supercars drive with legendary team Dick Johnson Racing in 2026.
From Denman to Dick Johnson Racing
The Muswellbrook-born, Denman-raised teenager, who only celebrated his 19th birthday last week, stands on the brink of claiming the Super2 Series title – essentially Supercars' reserve grade. Gray leads the championship with 1299 points and needs only to finish both races in Adelaide to secure the championship, though he could wrap it up on Saturday if he finishes one position ahead of Tickford Racing teammate Lochie Dalton (1152 points).
"It's not completely out of the woods yet," Gray told the Newcastle Herald. "We can wrap it up a race early if needed, I just need to beat my teammate by one position. But you don't want to force anything and make a mistake, so I'll just take it race by race."
A motorsport family legacy
Gray's racing journey began on two wheels long before he could legally drive on public roads. Born into a motorsport family, he was riding motorbikes on the family property from an early age and competed in national motocross titles.
"I started on two wheels," Gray recalled. "A bit more dangerous than driving a car, you hit the ground a lot harder. I did that for years, and then once I hit the legal age to jump in a car, I swapped over straight away."
His father raced various vehicles including Porsches, GT4 cars, utes and production cars, providing a broad motorsport foundation that Gray has built upon. "I've sort of followed in his footsteps," he said.
Rapid progression to the main game
Gray's transition to four-wheel racing began at just 14 when he started driving with a coach in Queensland. He quickly progressed through multiple categories including Hyundai Excels, Toyota 86 Series, Aussie Racing Cars, Super3 and GT4 Australia Series before reaching Super2.
"We started when I was 14, and [at] 18 have made it into the main game. So it's been a very quick progression for me," Gray explained. "I've had to get in a lot of different cars and learn how to drive them very quickly."
To support his racing ambitions, Gray left school at 15 to undertake a welding apprenticeship at his father's business, which provided flexibility for travel to competitions. His natural talent was evident early, aided by practice on a home simulator from age 12.
Dream team debut with Dick Johnson Racing
In a move that surprised even Gray, he secured a coveted seat with Dick Johnson Racing for the 2026 Supercars season, joining 2023 champion Brodie Kostecki as teammates. The opportunity represents a significant vote of confidence in the young driver, as DJR hasn't taken on a rookie in over a decade.
"Next year it was maybe looking like we'd only be a co-driver and go in the year after... so it was a bit of a surprise for us, but a very good one," Gray said.
DJR chairman Ryan Story emphasized that "Rylan has earned this opportunity through results," describing the team's investment in Gray as part of their commitment to developing the next generation while maintaining championship competitiveness.
Gray has already gained valuable Supercars experience with five race starts, including a wildcard entry in Darwin and endurance races at Bathurst and The Bend. His 13th-place finish at this year's Bathurst 1000 alongside teammate Dalton demonstrated his capability at the highest level.
Looking ahead to partnering with Kostecki, Gray said: "It's very exciting to work beside him. He has won Bathurst, won a championship and achieved something that most want to in the main game. To have him as a mentor in the coming years is going to be really cool."
The future of Australian motorsport
Gray believes his rapid rise reflects a broader trend in Supercars toward younger drivers. "I think that's the way the sport is heading nowadays," he observed. "Next year, it will be the youngest field ever. If you're not in your late teens or early 20s to get to the main game, you've sort of missed your opportunity."
Despite his youth, Gray maintains ambitious goals for his Supercars career. "It would obviously be cool to win a championship, but that's very hard," he acknowledged. "In the main game, it's all so competitive and everyone's so tight, especially with the new cars. Also you want to win Bathurst as well. They're the two main things, but they don't always come true."
As he prepares for his championship-deciding weekend in Adelaide, Gray remains grateful for the support system that enabled his remarkable journey. "It's a lot of family that support it, so a big thank you to mum and dad who have obviously helped me get to this point," he said. "They've put all the plan in place and we've stuck to that plan."
