After a successful qualifying session, teenager Tanner Gray readies for race day

POMONA, CA – At the conclusion of a steady two days of qualifying at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, 17-year-old Pro Stock rookie Tanner Gray says the nerves of his first professional start are starting to fade, allowing him to focus 100 percent on his first-ever round of sudden-death eliminations, which comes at high noon Sunday at Auto Club Raceway.

“I was actually pretty nervous for the first round of qualifying just because I’ve never been at a national event before as a driver,” Gray said. “I’ve never done anything like this before so there is definitely a learning curve. But we tested a lot and I already feel good in the car. I think I’m over 50 passes now so I’m getting there.

“Everyone’s been telling me my mom (Amber Gray) has been way more nervous than me. I think she just really wants me to do well and be safe at the same time. Hopefully, she’ll start to relax as the season goes along.”

Gray earned a mid-pack starting spot with a best pass of 6.578 seconds at 210.80 mph in his Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro. That slotted him ninth in the 16-car field and sets up a first-round race with Chris McGaha, who was slightly quicker in eighth place with a 6.572 at 210.54 mph.

“We need to make slightly better runs,” Gray said after his final qualifying pass was aborted due to a minor mechanical issue. “We’re struggling a bit with the car and the track but Dave (Connolly, crew chief) knows what we’ve got to do and I know what I’ve got to do in the driver’s seat. We’ll get it
figured out.

“I know I’ve got to go up there and be in the teens and .20s onthe Christmas Tree. I was looking at the (timing) sheets and everybody is doing pretty good on their reaction times. Most of the top guys have been between the teens and the .30s so if I can go up there and be in the teens or .20s I know Dave’s going to give me a race car that can win.

“I’m excited to line up and go against someone in a real race and see how we do. I’m going to remember this for a long time so I want to take it all in.”

Gray and Connolly will have the luxury of relying on data collected by Tanner’s father Shane, who qualified fourth overall with a stout a 6.547 at 210.97 mph in his Gray Motorsports Camaro. Shane is running the first couple of races this season in support of his son.

“I’m here strictly in a support role for Tanner,” Shane said. “Obviously we share all the information we collect during our runs and Dave can use me a test vehicle if it’ll help Tanner. Hopefully, we’ll both turn on the win light tomorrow in Rounds 1 and 2 and square off in the semifinals. That would be a great way to start the year.”

Pro Stock eliminations will be featured with three hours of live coverage running from 4-7 p.m. ET, on FOX.