A little over a week after nabbing Toni Breidinger to run full-time for the Craftsman Truck Series, Tricon Garage is adding a new face in 2025. ARCA Menards talent Gio Ruggiero will replace Taylor Gray, who moves to Xfinity with Joe Gibbs Racing in February. He will pilot the No. 17 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for the team. Ruggiero joins the Toyota Flagship Organization after running with Venturini Motorsports from 2023 to 2024. The 18-year-old is eager to capitalize on his expertise and bring a new dynamic to Tricon. He is fast and is willing to go the extra mile, but is it enough for the Craftsman Series?
Young Yet Accomplished
Gio Ruggiero’s massive accomplishments in the feeder series ARCA Menards East and West have undoubtedly opened the doors to the Craftsman Truck Series for 2025. He may be young, but he certainly hasn’t let this stand in the way of proving himself. In March 2023, he debuted at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway with Venturini Motorsports at the Music City 150. He replaced Isabella Robusto, who suffered an early-season concussion. The unexpected run allowed him to showcase his talents. Ruggiero ran fourth in a field of 20, remained in the top five throughout the race, and qualified second, but he didn’t stop there.
In 2024, during his first full season with Venturini, Gio Ruggiero secured 10 starts, seven top-fives, and nine top-tens. Shortly thereafter, Ruggiero assumed his first career win in ARCA East, fending off 7-time champ William Sawalich at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola. Ruggiero has also been impressed with short-track and late-model championships from 2021 to 2023, traveling across the U.S., starting in New Hampshire at Hudson Motorspeedway and on to Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.
His most iconic win, however, was at only 16 years old at Hickory Motorspeedway in North Carolina on May 23, 2023, where he fended off Hendrick driver William Byron to win the Tar Heel 250. Gio Ruggiero would win the Winchester 400 on October 15, 2023, after a late-race reentry against Stephen Nasse, who led 35 laps before the move to ARCA Menards East. As he begins a new journey in the Craftsman Truck Series, he brings youth, determination, and a willingness to adapt under pressure.
Is Gio Ruggiero Tricon’s Saving Grace?
Gio Ruggiero joins Toni Breidinger and Corey Heim as Tricon Garage’s youngest driver. Ruggiero is thankful for the opportunity to push beyond ARCA Menards East and West and is ready to hit the ground running with his No. 17 crew in February. The move seems equally exciting for owner David Gilliland, who has had Ruggiero under his radar since his start with Venturini Motorsports. He stated that the 18-year-old has shown great promise at a young age, and he’s excited to welcome the fresh face to the team.
He explained that the standout will surely accomplish a lot during his time with Tricon, and his willingness to adapt under pressure will be an essential asset. Tricon Garage secured 6 wins out of 115 races in 2024, 25 top fives, 48 top tens, 89 top twenties, and an average finish of 14. Yet, David Gilliland seeks to improve beyond this and sees Ruggiero Tricon Garage’s saving grace. The owner believes Ruggiero’s entry into Craftsman won’t be easy, but he has no doubts about what he’ll be able to accomplish in the series. Gio Ruggiero responded by expressing heartfelt thanks for a chance to run with Gilliland’s team full-time as a rookie in 2025.
“I am super thankful to have the opportunity to run full-time with Tricon in 2025,” Gio Ruggiero said. “I look forward to getting to work with all of the guys on the 17 team and contending for wins this season,” he added.
“Gio has shown a lot of promise in his young career, and we are super excited to welcome him into our program,” said Tricon owner David Gilliland. “Jumping into the Truck Series is no small feat, but Gio has proven that he adapts quickly, and we have no doubt that he will have a successful rookie season with us as he takes over the 17 truck,” he believes.
Final Thoughts
Though Tricon Garage is losing Taylor Gray, who only ran with the team for 20 races, Ruggiero is set to take the team to new heights. He’s eyeing the 2025 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Honors as a first-year driver. Without question, all eyes will be on Gio Ruggiero when the series opener kicks off on February 14, 2025, at Daytona for the Fresh from Florida 250. Success is something he knows well, as does Tricon owner David Gilliland, who is known for producing results. Six wins out of 115 races is not bad, but it’s not ideal, and it’s believed that the 18-year-old’s tenacity, willingness to learn, and growing room will be the answer to their prayers.
