Shane Gray building foundation for future success

June 20, 2012   ·   0 Comments

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 17, 2012) – The 15th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway were productive for Pro Stock driver Shane Gray and his Gray Motorsports team. They now have a full race under their belts in the brand new NTB/Service Central Racing Chevy Camaro, and they have taken a bite out of the learning curve and are well on their way to a fine-tuned machine.

The NTB/Service Central team qualified their new Chevy in the No. 16 spot and took on No. 1 qualifier Allen Johnson in the first round of eliminations. The two were reasonably close on the launch, but Johnson surged ahead for a 6.56 to 6.71 win.

Gray made his best run of the weekend in the opening round, but there is some disappointment directed towards a non-spectacular debut. However, the team is more focused than ever on knuckling down and achieving results.

“I felt like we learned a little more about the car,” said Gray. “It’s a little off from where it should be, but we’re going to go to Rockingham Dragway to test more on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – whatever it takes to get to where we feel the car is good enough to take to Chicago for the Route 66 Nationals in a couple of weeks. We’ll keep digging.

“I’m excited about the Camaro, and I’m really happy that GM provided something modern to race. I certainly wish our performance was better for Service Central and NTB and everybody involved who helped us get to this position. I’d like to have had a better season overall, but we’re still in the top 10, and we are fighters. We’ll keep our minds open, our heads clear, and we’ll see what the future holds.

Gray will have the opportunity to compete again in the NTB/Service Central Chevy Camaro very soon as the Full Throttle Series next travels to Chicago for the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Route 66 Nationals, June 28-July 1.

Shane Gray, NTB/Service Central Pontiac GXP
Final qualifying position: No. 16
Round one: Allen Johnson (6.656 seconds at 206.99) def. Gray (6.716, 204.42)

2012 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES STANDINGS
1. Greg Anderson 902
2. Jason Line 848
3. Allen Johnson 818
4. Mike Edwards 707
5. Vincent Nobile 640
6. Erica Enders 578
7. Ronnie Humphrey 487
8. Rodger Brogdon 406
9. Shane Gray 395
10. Ron Krisher 367