Like Father Like Son; The Gilliland’s

By:
On:
In: Racing News

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the Gilliland household. Like father like son, Todd Gilliland is following in his father David’s footsteps and quickly making a name for himself in the racing world. The young 14 year old from North Carolina turned a lot of heads when he won the inaugural CARS Tour Late Model Stock race at Southern Nationals Motorsports Park on March 28.

“I grew up watching my dad race in Southern California,” said David Gilliland, “I remember hanging on the fence dreaming about being a race car driver one day.”

David grew up turning wrenches on his father’s car before building his own dirt car and competing at Perris Auto Club Speedway in Perris, CA. He worked his way up the ranks from dirt to asphalt winning races like the Copper World Classic and Toyota All Star Showdown on his way to the NASCAR level.

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at now without the help of the Yates family.” Said David, “They gave me a shot in the M&M’s car in 2006. They believed in me and my abilities and for that I’m truly grateful.”

When David’s son Todd was three years old, David and Michelle Gilliland purchased a pink Barbie corvette. They installed a special set of pedals so Todd could reach them and equipped it with another battery to increase its overall speed. Before he would drive it, he had his parents paint it black. After a couple weeks, his parents realized he had his father’s racing talent.

Todd began his racing career on his 5th birthday in a quarter midget in Southern California. At age 13, he won 7 out of 9 races in-route to winning a National Championship in quarter midgets. In 2014, Todd won his first limited late model race at Ace Speedway.

Being able to practice and race with his dad has been a big advantage for Todd. He’s been able to follow him around the track and learn the proper lines and braking points. This has helped take his racing career to the next level.

 “It’s been a lot of fun learning from my dad,” said Todd, “He has taught me so much, from driving and engineering to shopping around for the best parts and service.”

The Gilliland family has been a long time customer of Roush Yates Performance Products. Nearly 80% of their race car has been built from both new and used parts purchased at Roush Yates including spindles, sway bars and carbon fiber pieces to name a few. It’s not out of the ordinary to see either David or Todd in the warehouse shopping every other day or even on the chassis dyno testing and tuning their car.

The father and son duo doesn’t stop at the track. David brings Todd into Roush Yates Performance Products to teach him about picking the right parts to build the best car possible. He feels this will help him know the car inside and out along with what the car is capable of. The family not only believes in learning all there is about racing but also a strong work ethic with an emphasis on education.

Once Todd comes home from school, he goes directly to his study to complete his homework. He realizes that school comes first in life and that racing is a privilege. Once his work is complete, he heads to the shop to help work on the car with crew chief Chris Lawson.

One of the best attributes they have is their level of communication and team chemistry, knowing what each other is thinking which leads to success. Both want to learn and teach each other new things weekly which is evident when you see them interact. The team plans to run for the CARS Tour Late Model Stock championship. This young man has a lot of goals and aspirations in life and so far is taking the right steps to be successful both on and off the track.

Todd’s next race will be at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC for the Orange Blossom 300 on Saturday, April 18th. For more information on the CARS Tour, please visit www.carsracingtour.com.

David Gilliland Racing would like to thank its sponsors including Roush Yates Performance Products, Eibach Springs, Northfleet Development, Core Power and Racing Electronics. Without these sponsors support of DGR, they wouldn’t be able to race week in and week out and they greatly appreciate everyone’s support.

To follow along with Roush Yates Performance Products, please follow us on Twitter @roushyatesparts, like us on Facebook at Roush Yates Performance Products and subscribe to our YouTube channel roushyates.

RYE PR

Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 88