TANNER GRAY TALKS TEST SESSION, UPCOMING PRO STOCK SEASON
Tanner Gray is going to compete in NHRA’s Pro Stock class in 2017.
The 17-year-old rookie is taking the seat of his father, Shane. Shane competed in Pro Stock from 2010-16, winning five career national events and finishing a career-best third in the 2016 points standings.
Tanner’s first steps in learning the Pro Stock ropes came recently when he made some test laps at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park. Tanner talked about his test session and much more on WFO radio with Joe Castello, which was broadcast Dec. 21.
“We made 25 runs to the finish line and everything went really well and I’m really excited to get Pomona to see what we have got,” Tanner said.
The season-opening Winternationals are Feb. 9-12 in Pomona, Calif.
“Everybody in my family has kind of come from a dirt track background and somehow we always end up in drag racing in the end, which I think is really cool,” Tanner said.
Tanner’s grandfather, Johnny Gray was a veteran NHRA racer – most recently finishing ninth in the 2013 NHRA nitro Funny Car points standings, thanks to four wins that season. Jonathan Gray, Shane’s brother, also competed in Pro Stock, his most recent season being in 2015 when he came in 10th in the points standings. Jonathan also ran a limited NHRA Pro Mod schedule last year.
“It (NHRA drag racing) is what my dad and my grandpa have done and I think that kind of influenced me a little bit,” Tanner said. “I’ve always had a passion for it ever since I’ve been going to the track since I was 10 years old. When you grow up around something you grow fond of it and that’s kind of where we are at now and I’m really excited to get into it all. In circle track racing you get a lot more laps and the races last a lot longer, but I think I like drag racing just because it is you and another guy and it’s straightforward, you either win or you lose.”
Tanner joins a Pro Stock class that underwent wholesale changes last season.
As of Jan. 1, 2016, NHRA required all Pro Stock teams to equip their cars with electronically-controlled throttle body fuel injection systems, making engines more relevant from a technology standpoint. In order to reduce and control costs for the race teams, an NHRA-controlled 10,500 rev limiter will be added to the fuel injection systems.
“I’m kind of a door-car type of guy,” Tanner said. “It is just so technical, and I like that, especially shifting, and I think it’s a lot of fun to drive them. I didn’t really get to drive a carburetor car. Dave (Connolly) let me in his bracket car and it had carburetors on it, but I don’t really have an opinion on it. I think it (the Pro Stock class) will all get better as it goes on and grow back to what it was.”
Connolly, an accomplished Pro Stock driver and a former Top Fuel pilot, served as Shane’s crew chief last season and is onboard with the team again.
“I’ve always kind of looked up to Dave and I think it’s really cool to be able to work with him,” Tanner said. “He’s become one of my really good friends over the years and he helps me out a lot in addition to my dad and grandpa. It’s a good group of people to have over there, especially for someone who is just starting out.”
Tanner didn’t hide his high expectations for the upcoming season.
“I’m kind one of those guys where there’s no point of going to the race track if you are not there to win,” he said. “If you go there and you have the mindset you’re not going to win, then you are probably not going to win. I have confidence right now and we have a really good team over here. I have a lot of good power, the guys at the engine shop have been working hard this winter, and I’m just really excited for Pomona. A lot of people will think it’s crazy, but I would like to go out there and win the first race. My overall goal (for the season) would be to finish in the top five in points and maybe contend for a championship.”