Shane Gray uninjured in stunning crash in Charlotte
(9-16-2012) CONCORD, NC – So much can change in an instant, and Pro Stock driver Shane Gray quickly became aware of that fact in the second round of eliminations at the 5th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
No. 14 qualifier Gray, a third-year competitor in what is arguably the most competitive professional category, easily got past a troubled Greg Anderson in the first round and was off to a strong start against veteran Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson in round two before his Tire Kingdom Service Central Chevy Camaro got very loose in the left lane and made a harsh turn toward the guard wall. The car then slammed into it, turned over and slid on the roof before flipping over backwards, landing right side up, and sliding to a stop against the right guard wall.
Thankfully, Gray emerged from the wreck uninjured.
"It happened so quick," said Gray. "The car barely drifted, and then all of a sudden it darted and rolled. The NHRA guys checked me out right away, and other than being a little sore, I'm okay."
Just prior to the Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals in Bristol earlier this year, Gray parked his Pontiac GXP and debuted the Chevy Camaro. Although the Camaro is out of commission for the time being, Gray is already making plans to return to the dragstrip in the very immediate future.
"We're going to pull out the GXP again," said Gray. "And we will be racing in Dallas next weekend."
The next event on the Full Throttle Series tour is the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex in Dallas, Sept. 20-23, 2012.
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