Semifinal finish lifts Gray's spirits

May 22

Johnny Gray, driving the Service Central Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, had a comeback weekend of sorts, reaching the semifinal round in Sunday’s NHRA Summer Nationals here at Heartland Park Topeka.

Gray came into the Kansas national event feeling confident about overcoming a minor slump that the team endured the past three races.

“We started to see progress last week in Atlanta even though it might not have shown on the scoreboard,” said Gray. “But the car got better and better and we felt that we were on target for something good here in Topeka.”

The Don Schumacher Racing driver was right about his feelings. He qualified second in the 16-car field and won the first two rounds of competition under tricky air and track conditions. He was eliminated from the competition when his car lost traction against Robert Hight in the semifinals. Hight went on to win the event.

“You’re never happy unless you leave the track with the trophy, but considering how well our Service Central Funny Car performed this weekend, we are indeed happy with our progress,” explained the 58-year-old Artesia, N.M. native and resident, who gained one position to ninth in the Funny Car point standings. “It’s only going to get better. Remember we don’t have a playbook from five years ago, our playbook started to be written only a few months ago.

“This team has worked hard and never hung their heads and that’s one more reason I am proud to be with them. We have good chemistry and a talented crew chief in Lee Beard.”

Gray was also smiling for his son, Shane Gray, who won the Pro Stock title at Topeka.

“It’s been a pretty special day,” said Johnny Gray. “I am very happy for Shane and his entire team.”

The next race on the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule is the NHRA SuperNationals, June 2-5 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.