POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2013) – Shane Gray and the Gray Motorsports Pro Stock team were eager to get to Auto Club Raceway at Pomona for the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals. Intending to debut a brand new Jerry Haas-built Chevy Camaro and revisions to their in-house engine program that includes a newly formed partnership with Elite Performance, the team arrived with realistic expectations and were rewarded with productive qualifying sessions and a round win on raceday.
Throughout qualifying, Gray and the Gray Motorsports team, led by crew chief Justin Elkes, monitored progress as they collected timeslips registering 6.614, 6.631, 6.600 and 6.608, each exceeding 209 mph. Although it was somewhat slower than his best time of the weekend, Gray's 6.608 in the final qualifying session was his best of the weekend when the conditions were taken into consideration.
For their efforts, the Gray Motorsports team was rewarded with a start from the No. 13 position, and Gray was paired with Jason Line in the first round of eliminations.
Second-generation drag racer Gray was out of the gate well ahead of his opponent, clocking an outstanding .016-second reaction time to Line's delayed .053, and the starting-line advantage was traded for a win light at the top end as Gray crossed the finish line first, 6.604 to 6.570.
In round two, Gray squared off with young Vincent Nobile, a driver who regularly leaves the starting line ahead of his opponents on raceday. However, this time it was Gray with the advantage, and he proved that his quick start in the opening round was no fluke as he blasted out of the gate with a .017-second start to Nobile's .018. At the finish line, Nobile eclipsed Gray's slowing 6.644 with a 6.592.
"We know we still have plenty to iron out, but I have to take into account that this was the first race with all of these new factors," said Gray. "We're taking steps in the right direction, and there is still a long way to go, but of course we wanted to take away a little more from this weekend."
Gray's performance in Pomona netted an early spot in the top 10, and although the Countdown to the Championship is still months away, it certainly doesn't hurt to be positioned so well when a group of seasoned drivers are outside looking in.
"Sure, it's nice to be there," said Gray. "We finished last season on the outside, and to get a glimpse of where we hope to be when the Countdown gets here later this season is good for us. We have a taste for it, and believe me, we'll be working to stay here. It's where we belong."
From: Kelly Wade
More...
Throughout qualifying, Gray and the Gray Motorsports team, led by crew chief Justin Elkes, monitored progress as they collected timeslips registering 6.614, 6.631, 6.600 and 6.608, each exceeding 209 mph. Although it was somewhat slower than his best time of the weekend, Gray's 6.608 in the final qualifying session was his best of the weekend when the conditions were taken into consideration.
For their efforts, the Gray Motorsports team was rewarded with a start from the No. 13 position, and Gray was paired with Jason Line in the first round of eliminations.
Second-generation drag racer Gray was out of the gate well ahead of his opponent, clocking an outstanding .016-second reaction time to Line's delayed .053, and the starting-line advantage was traded for a win light at the top end as Gray crossed the finish line first, 6.604 to 6.570.
In round two, Gray squared off with young Vincent Nobile, a driver who regularly leaves the starting line ahead of his opponents on raceday. However, this time it was Gray with the advantage, and he proved that his quick start in the opening round was no fluke as he blasted out of the gate with a .017-second start to Nobile's .018. At the finish line, Nobile eclipsed Gray's slowing 6.644 with a 6.592.
"We know we still have plenty to iron out, but I have to take into account that this was the first race with all of these new factors," said Gray. "We're taking steps in the right direction, and there is still a long way to go, but of course we wanted to take away a little more from this weekend."
Gray's performance in Pomona netted an early spot in the top 10, and although the Countdown to the Championship is still months away, it certainly doesn't hurt to be positioned so well when a group of seasoned drivers are outside looking in.
"Sure, it's nice to be there," said Gray. "We finished last season on the outside, and to get a glimpse of where we hope to be when the Countdown gets here later this season is good for us. We have a taste for it, and believe me, we'll be working to stay here. It's where we belong."
From: Kelly Wade
More...
