Former NHRA Pro Stock standout Shane Gray will return to NHRA competition in 2027, this time taking on an entirely new challenge as he makes his Pro Modified debut with Elite Motorsports and Modern Racing.
Gray, a five-time NHRA Pro Stock national event winner, will drive the Elite Motorsports/Modern Racing/Mason Wright Racing entry in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Modified Series presented by Elite Motorsports. The car was previously driven by Mason Wright and is currently campaigned by Aaron Stanfield.
For Gray, the return marks the end of a nearly decade-long absence from NHRA competition after stepping away following the 2017 season. His comeback also reunites him with longtime friend and Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman, whose relationship with the Gray family dates back years before either reached the professional ranks.
“I’ve never encountered Pro Mod before. I sat in the car, but that’s about it,” Gray said. “I’m a student of the game though. Even at 54 years old, I’m looking forward to the challenge, driving something new, learning something new and having a little fun. I think Pro Mod fits me.”
“We’ve had a long standing history with the Gray family,” Freeman added. “We used to race in Competition Eliminator with him and his brother Johnathon. We rented Shane motors in 2013 when he was still racing Pro Stock. Pretty sure he made it to a handful of final rounds that year. One thing that has always stayed consistent was our mutual respect for each other. It feels like it’s time for him to come back to NHRA racing with us, and be part of our racing family. It feels right having him come on board.”
Gray built a successful Pro Stock career that included 13 final-round appearances and five victories. His strongest season came in 2013 when he reached five final rounds and claimed one victory. His final Pro Stock triumph came at the 2017 NHRA Gatornationals before retiring at the conclusion of that season.
The decision to leave the cockpit allowed his son, Tanner Gray, to assume driving duties for the family operation. Tanner went on to win the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock championship before transitioning to NASCAR, where he now competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Younger son Taylor Gray has also established himself in NASCAR competition with Joe Gibbs Racing.
With both sons now pursuing their own racing careers, Gray believes the timing is right to return to competition.
“Both my boys are to the point where they don’t really need dad anymore. So, I’m ready to go racing again myself,” Gray said. “I can’t think of a better opportunity than teaming up with Richard Freeman at Elite and Justin Elkes at Modern Racing. We’ve all always been friends and the Modern Racing shop is 15 minutes from my house.”
The move also reunites Gray with Justin Elkes, who served as his crew chief during his Pro Stock career. Together, the pair captured one of drag racing’s biggest prizes by winning the NHRA U.S. Nationals in 2014.
Although Gray owns years of experience behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car, Pro Modified presents a different challenge. He is scheduled to test the car later this year at Rockingham Dragway, marking his first-ever laps in a Pro Modified machine as he begins preparing for the 2027 season.
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