Gray Matter

Long regarded as one of the most versatile drivers in drag racing, New Mexico’s Johnny Gray is going to try his hand in Pro Stock class racing this season driving an all new HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus.

Gray, whose previous drag racing experience includes very successful stints driving Top Alcohol cars and Nitro Funny Cars, aligned himself with some very key individuals while plotting his comeback.

“I was attending the race at Las Vegas late last year and it just seemed one thing led to another,” stated Gray. “Over the years I’ve become very good friends with Larry Morgan and when I saw that Craig Hankinson (our crew chief) had become available I made the decision to come back.”

Gray then had a brand new 2008 Dodge Stratus expertly constructed by Don Ness Race Cars and will employ one of Larry Morgan’s engine programs this season. He will be part of Morgan’s very formidable NHRA Pro Stock program which includes exchanging information with other team drivers, V. Gaines and Max Naylor.

“For 2008 our objectives are rather simple – get some experience, win some rounds and have some fun,” he added. “I’m looking forward to working with Larry and the whole Mopar engine program. My expectations are that we will be fast and that we are going to hurt some people’s feelings.”

Gray’s transition to Pro Stock class racing has required a rather significant adjustment to driving styles from his previous racing. In particular, the class is a vast contrast to nitro burning Funny Car racing, which he last drove back in 2006.

“In a fuel Funny Car you have to drive it like a John Deere and you often have to manhandle it,” he revealed. “In Pro Stock there is a lot more finesse. The more you fight a Pro Stock, the madder it will get, so you really have to learn to leave it alone and let it drive itself. There is definitely a total different mentality. I’m working hard on my driving style, remaining smooth and hitting those shift points correctly.”

So far Gray’s venture into the Pro Stock category has been a solid and very successful one, including back-to-back qualifying efforts during the first two NHRA POWERade events of the 2008 season, including the quarter finals at the recent Gator Nationals.