Shane Gray taking NTB Service Central Camaro to eliminations at Bristol Dragway
(6-16-2012) BRISTOL, TN – With four more runs on their brand new NTB/Service Central Racing Chevy Camaro, Pro Stock driver Shane Gray and his Gray Motorsports team have begun to chip away at the new formula that will work best in this new era for the young team. The weekend at Bristol Dragway is shaping up to have even more available opportunity as the team earned a spot in the field and will have a chance to race for the title at the 15th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
During qualifying, Gray clocked three runs in the 6.70s and only truly didn’t make it down the track once in four sessions; the third qualifying round began with four pairs of the factory hot rods unable to make it down the track. Each car clocked double-digit numbers, including Gray.
Ultimately, Gray was 16th-quickest and will face No. 1 qualifier Allen Johnson in the first round of eliminations.
“Well, we can see that we still have a lot of room for progress, but the good news is that we get to race this beautiful Chevy Camaro on raceday in her debut,” said Gray. “We had hoped to qualify better because we really wanted to make a stellar showing right out of the box for GM and for our good friends at NTB and Service Central, but we’re pretty excited that we get another day to play here at Bristol Dragway – and maybe we can go some rounds. That’s the goal.”
The tables were turned for the Gray Motorsports crew, who tested the Camaro last week for two days preceding the debut. During qualifying, the new Camaro tested the team as they worked to find the most effective way to harness and utilize power with their new car. Three times throughout qualifying they swapped engines.
“It looks like all three of the motors were producing right about the same amount of power,” said Gray. “We were searching for what it would take to get this car down the track as best we could, and we felt like we had to try that route. We’re going to be working things out along the way for a little while, and the car and I haven’t started to click 100% yet, but I’m optimistic about the future – and I’m starting with being optimistic about tomorrow.
“It would be wonderful to have a little bit of luck and go some rounds, and we’re all going to do our best. Once we get to the starting line, my job is to drive this car the best I can, no matter who is in the other lane. I’m going to do just that, and we’ll see where we come out.”
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