TOMMY JOHNSON JR. TO REPLACE GRAY – Pitch Energy to Continue Sponsorship

Las Vegas, NV – Veteran racer Tommy Johnson Jr. was named Sunday to replace Johnny Gray in 2014 as driver of DSR’s Pitch Energy Funny Car.

Gray, who sponsored the team this year with his sister Terry Chandler to honor their late father John R. Gray is retiring from full-time nitro racing after the NHRA Finals in two weeks. Chandler will take over the team’s sponsorship and selected Johnson for the driving job.

Chandler has designated the 2014 season as “A Year of Giving,” and plans to utilize the Funny Car to raise awareness for various yet-to-be-named charities throughout the year.

“I never dreamed that I would be blessed in a way that would allow me to help others,” she said. “Helping people is one of the most important things in the world to me – my daddy, John R. Gray, was an extremely giving man, and I learned from him how important it was to bless the lives of others. That is why this means so much to me. I feel very fortunate to be in this position.

The choice to return Johnson to full-time racing for the first time since 2008 is a popular one.

“Choosing a driver took a long time … but we just feel that TJ has earned the position,” said DSR owner Don Schumacher. “He has been part of DSR’s family for a number of years, and he deserves the opportunity. We believe that he will come out here and be a championship driver from the first hit.

“To be able to keep all seven DSR teams out here for next year and keep everybody employed and everything going forward is a great relief. We’re thrilled that we’re able to do this and that Terry has come on board to take this forward.”

Johnson, who lives in Avon, Ind., near DSR headquarters, has driven for other racing legends including Kenny Bernstein and Don Prudhomme. He has won nine NHRA event titles in 22 championship rounds including seven in Funny Car and two in Top Fuel.
Chandler has designated the 2014 season as “A Year of Giving,” and plans to utilize the Funny Car to raise awareness for various yet-to-be-named charities throughout the year.

“I never dreamed that I would be blessed in a way that would allow me to help others,” said Chandler. “Helping people is one of the most important things in the world to me – my daddy, John R. Gray, was an extremely giving man, and I learned from him how important it was to bless the lives of others. That is why this means so much to me. I feel very fortunate to be in this position.