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Ethan Elder Becomes Winningest Allison Legacy Race Series Champion; Outperforms Rookie Of The Year Delaney Gray For 2025 Title

by Hunter Thomas December 9, 2025 0 comments

SALISBURY, NC – Ethan Elder earned his third-career Allison Legacy Race Series Championship, topping Rookie of the Year, Delaney Gray for the title.

With the title, Elder became the most-winningest champion in series history. The only other driver to win multiple championships is current IMSA driver, Chad McCumbee, who won the Allison Legacy Race Series Championship back-to-back in 2001 and 2002. This season, Elder successfully defended his series championship by 53 points over Gray.

“It is super exciting to make my mark in history as the one and only three-time champion in the Allison Legacy Series, for now,” said Elder. “It’s such a great series, highly competitive, and has seen some amazing talent through the years. Hugely proud of the effort that everybody put in. It truly is a team sport. I’ve learned almost all of what I know about racing and how to race from my crew chief Stephen Woods and the great Donnie Allison himself, as well as many others, but those two have really shaped the race I am today.

“Huge thanks to the Allison family for putting together such a great series and giving drivers opportunities to race at many different and unique racetracks. I also want to thank my dad, Joseph Elder, my beautiful wife, Eva Elder, Stephen and Christi Woods, Brendon McElligott, Zack Wells, Jeff and Brandon and so many others behind the scenes who have made this incredible accomplishment possible. And as always, all glory to God who has blessed me with all of these incredible friends and family and amazing opportunities.”

The Cary, North Carolina native won six out of 13 races, including two races at Dillon Motor Speedway, two races at Orange County Speedway, one race at Caraway Speedway and one race at Florence Motor Speedway. Elder also sat on the pole on eight occasions.

“Ethan Elder is a great ambassador of the series,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer, Donnie Allison. “He’s now the series’ all-time champion, but this year, he was challenged by our Rookie of the Year, Delaney Gray. I’m proud of both drivers. They raced with their hearts and put on a show for the fans every event.”

Gray had a stout season for her debut in the Allison Legacy Race Series. Finishing second in the standings, the 13-year-old LaGrange, North Carolina native, won Rookie of the Race 10 times throughout the 13-race schedule. She won at Carteret Speedway and Florence Motor Speedway, and she also earned a pole at Florence Motor Speedway. One of her strongest performances came during Hickory Motor Speedway’s Fall Brawl, when she won Hard Charger of the Race, improving her position the most out of the 16-car field.

“This year has been the year that I have seen the most growth and development in my abilities as a driver, both on and off the track,” said Gray said. “The Allison Legacy Race Series is by far the best driver development series in the country in my opinion. The cars are economical, hard to drive and the touring to different tracks each race is a lot of fun. To have two wins and win Rookie of the Year, the Lord has truly blessed me.”

Bobby Mares finished third in the point standings, followed by Weston Freeman and Kyle Siler rounding out the top-five.

About Allison Legacy Race Series

The Allison Legacy Series offers a professional to intermediate racing program. This unique and innovative program attracts drivers, new and old, with or without experience, and has proven to be a valuable steppingstone for drivers looking to further a racing career. Check the website out at www.allisonlegacy.com for more info and call the shop at (704) 278-0174 with any questions.

Photo Credit: Allison Legacy Race Series