Who Is Todd Gilliland's Dad
Todd Gilliland's dad is David Gilliland, a former NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series driver who now works as a crew chief and team executive. David Gilliland competed full time in the Cup Series from 2006 to 2017 and recorded multiple top ten finishes, including a runner up result in the 2007 Daytona 500. He later moved into the ARCA Menards Series and the Truck Series as a driver and crew chief, while also holding leadership roles at his family owned team, David Gilliland Racing, as noted on his team's official site David Gilliland Racing. David Gilliland remains a central figure in Todd Gilliland's racing development and in the broader Gilliland motorsports operation.
David Gilliland began his professional racing career in the early 2000s and reached the NASCAR Cup Series in 2006, driving for multiple teams before establishing himself as a consistent competitor. He made his Cup debut in 2006 and went on to score several top ten finishes, with his best known result being a second place finish at the 2007 Daytona 500. After stepping back from full time driving, he transitioned into crew chiefing and team management, working with young drivers and helping develop talent within the family team structure.
David Gilliland's Racing Career and Team Leadership
David Gilliland competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series, and later became a crew chief in the Truck Series while also managing his own team. He founded David Gilliland Racing, which fields entries in the ARCA Menards Series and the Truck Series, and has served as a crew chief for Todd Gilliland and other young drivers in those series. The team operates out of California and has become a key development platform for the Gilliland family's racing ambitions, with David Gilliland often working directly with Todd on setup and strategy NASCAR.
In addition to his driving career, David Gilliland has built a reputation as a hands on team owner and crew chief who focuses on driver development and technical preparation. He has overseen multiple race wins and playoff appearances for his team in the Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, and his approach emphasizes data driven setups and strong pit crew execution. David Gilliland's role as both a mentor and a technical leader has been a defining factor in Todd Gilliland's progression through the NASCAR driver development ladder.
The Gilliland Family Racing Legacy
The Gilliland family has a long history in motorsports, with David Gilliland serving as the primary bridge between earlier racing efforts and the current generation represented by Todd Gilliland. David's father, also involved in racing, helped build the foundation for the family's involvement in the sport, and David later expanded that legacy by creating his own team and mentoring his son. Todd Gilliland began racing at a young age and advanced through regional and national series with strong support from his father, who acted as a driver coach, crew chief, and team owner during key stages of his career Forbes.
Today, Todd Gilliland competes in the NASCAR Cup Series and continues to benefit from the experience and resources provided by his father's team and network. David Gilliland remains active in team operations, driver development, and strategic planning, and the family's combined experience spans multiple decades and series. The Gilliland family's focus on hands on team building, technical excellence, and driver education has helped Todd Gilliland establish himself as a competitive young driver in the top tier of NASCAR SEC filings.