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Johnny claiming his spot in the Countdown - Brainerd
Johnny Gray has a special wish for the U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis, Prerace: This weekend’s 56th running of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is the 18th of 23 events in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and the first of six races in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. A win at the biggest event of the season is the dream of every racer, every team owner and every team member. Johnny Gray is no different. The veteran racer has participated at this prestigious event many, many times but has not made a trip to its winners circle. He hopes that this is the year he and his NTB, National Tire and Battery Pontiac GXP earn the special honor.
Gray, along with his son Shane, driver of the Big O Tires/Tire Kingdom Pontiac, is having a dream come true season, filled with father and son match-ups and semifinal and final-round appearances. Gray looks for their good performance and good fortune to be with them this weekend.
“I’ve been to the final-round at the U.S. Nationals in a Funny Car but never in Pro Stock,” stated Gray. “So, it would mean a lot to me if I could get there this year. I would be in my NTB car with a motor from our own engine program; it couldn’t get much better than that. Now, if I was allowed to dream a little more, it would be my wish to have Shane in the Big O Tires car in the other lane. Life couldn’t get any better than that.”
Gray’s racing program is a new venture this year. One year ago he didn’t have a two car team, or a race shop in Denver, N.C., or and engine development program or even a son that had a license to drive a Pro Stock car. The hard working, dedicated Artesia, N.M. businessman took an idea and put together a top-notch program in an amazingly short time.
“Even if my wish doesn’t come true, I am proud of what we have accomplished this year,” expressed Gray. “One year ago, none of this existed. We didn’t have a shop, we didn’t have an engine, we didn’t have these Jerry Haas cars, and Shane didn’t have a Pro Stock license. There was only an idea floating around in my head. Look how far we have come. Shane is developing into a very talented driver. He takes everything we throw at him in stride and does a great job every time he climbs behind the wheel. We have a very talented staff at the shop building us motors and a talented group working with us on the road. Everyone is committed to making this program work and that means a lot to me. I enjoy every minute of this job and am so glad I took the chance and put it together.”
So, if you see Gray one night this weekend at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis starring up to the sky, he might be making a wish or he just might be thinking about another idea that is floating around in his head.
Shane claiming his spot in the countdown. Eventually, he improved to the sixth position.
Rookie Shane Gray is having fun living his dream
Indianapolis, Prerace: One year ago, when Shane Gray rolled into O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis he was a talented sportsman racer looking to do battle in his Competition Eliminator car. This year as he prepares his Big O Tires Pontiac for the 56th running of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Gray is living his dream. The contender for the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award has made his emergence into the highly competitive Pro Stock class look easy, but Gray doesn’t forget to savior his good fortune and relish the dream he is enjoying.
“Last year I rolled into this race with my Comp car in the trailer,” stated Gray. “I guess you could say I was on the outside of this world, looking in. I can’t believe the difference in my life this year. I’ve wanted to drive Pro Stock all my life and now I’m smack dab in the middle of it all. I’m racing guys that I used to watch on TV. When I started in February, I hoped that I could at least qualify at half the races and look at how far I’ve gotten. I’m in the countdown and I’ve been to two final-rounds. I never imagined it would be so much fun.
“I realize that I couldn’t be enjoying life the way I am without a lot of help. I would never be here if my dad and mom (Johnny and Terry Gray) had not made the decision to take the leap and create our two-car team and our own engine program. And I’m lucky to have the support of my biggest fan, my beautiful wife Amber. I’m surrounded by very talented people at our shop and at the track. I never want to forget that I have the easy job. I get to the drive the Big O Tires/Tires Kingdom Pontiac after everybody has worked very hard to make it the best. You’ve heard me say this before and you’ll hear me say it again, I am truly blessed to have this opportunity.”
The U.S. Nationals is the most historic and prestigious event in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and holds extra significance and special excitement for all racers, young and old.
“It’s always exciting to participate in the U.S. Nationals no matter what you’re driving,” explained Gray. “I have always looked forward to this race. But this year it means more to me and I’m planning to have even more fun. I don’t want to miss a single moment or take anything for granted. It can’t get any better than this. If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me up.”
Before Brainerd After Brainerd Qualifying
