David Gilliland Racing hauler killed in an accident in Texas while transporting the car for Friday Phoenix truck series race

David Gilliland Racing hauler killed in an accident in Texas while transporting the car for Friday Phoenix truck series race

David Gilliland Racing hauler killed in an accident in Texas

The hauler or transporters are one of the most important crew members of a team and they play a vital role in making sure that the cars are ready for the drivers to fight for victory on every track. This importance makes them one of the most followed NASCAR personas other than the drivers and broadcasters.

Now reports have confirmed sad news for the Haulers community as Steven Stotts, a hauler driver for David Gilliland Racing, who on route to Phoenix for the ARCA Menards Series race on March 11 struck a small box trailer towed by a 2020 Honda Passport eventually causing a crash outside Longview, Texas costing 54-year-old his life.

Texas Department of Public Safety has to shred what happened at the highway in a public release which read  “The DGR hauler and towed trailer was traveling west on IH-20. The driver failed to control its speed and struck the towed trailer. Following the crash [The DGR Hauler] traveled into the center median, struck the concrete barrier, and caught fire, its towed trailer turned onto its side in the center median,”

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“We are deeply saddened,” David Gilliland Racing react to the death

David Gilliland Racing
David Gilliland Racing

Following the incident, the DGR team confirm the passing of Steven Stotts and the hospitalization of John Zaverl and Michael Mizzelle who were the passengers in the trailer.  

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Steven Stotts, co-driver for our No. 17 ARCA team transporter, that was involved in an accident early this morning near Longview, Texas. Our deepest sympathies go out to Steven’s family and friends,” read David Gilliland Racing’s public release.

“John Zaverl and Michael Mizzelle, who were passengers in the transporter, have been treated and released from a local hospital. Our continued thoughts are with the driver of the second vehicle involved in the accident,” David Gilliland Racing added.

How it’s going to affect David Gilliland Racing

Tylor Gray
Tylor Gray

Since the car failed to reach the Phoenix Raceway which means DGR driver Tylor Gray might not be able to participate in the ARCA Menards Series which is set to take place on Friday, March 12. The team is yet to give any public statement about his participation.

Also read: ‘The worst driver on the track,’ what cost Denny Hamlin a top 10 finish in Las Vegas?