Shane Gray gaining momentum as NHRA races to Chicago

CHICAGO – Coming off an impressive third semifinal appearance in the past five events two weeks ago in Norwalk, Ohio, Shane Gray, driver of the Gray Motorsports Valvoline/Nova Services Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, is confident he and his team have tapped into the performance bank that will hopefully pay victorious dividends this weekend at the 19th annual K&N Filters Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

With a new crew chief, Dave Connolly, in place since the Atlanta event in May, Gray is eying an overdue return to the winner’s circle near the Windy City. His previous win was at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis in 2014.

“I think we’re on a little bit of a roll. We picked up some power in our engine shop, and the car’s getting better, and I seem to be getting a little bit better behind the wheel, ” Gray said. “Dave (Connolly), the crew chief, is doing an awesome job. I wouldn’t trade anybody I’ve got for nothing.

“It’s been a process of a lot of hard work and a little bit different insight, especially from Connolly. It’s just a combination of a group of good guys we’ve got put together now. And we’ve also got some good team cars, too. The Skillmans and the Laughlins are the greatest group of people to race with.”

Gray Motorsports has a technical alliance with the teams of Drew Skillman and Alex Laughlin.

Gray is excited about his team’s new direction but hesitant to hope for a performance peak just yet.

“Absolutely, I love it,” Gray said. “It’s actually starting to be fun to go to the racetrack again.

“I don’t really want to peak just yet. I’d kind of like to be at our best when the Countdown (NHRA’s playoffs) starts and see if we can work ourselves up in the points.”

Gray, a four-time NHRA national event victor, is currently in the No. 8 position in Mello Yello championship points. Only the top 10 in points at the conclusion of the U.S. Nationals in early September are eligible to compete in the Countdown to the Championship, which begins in Charlotte.

“I like Chicago. I really like the racetrack there,” Gray said. “We’ve had some decent success at Chicago, but Dave Connolly has always run good at Chicago, so we’re looking forward to that.”

Along with being a highly acclaimed crew chief, Connolly is a former Pro Stock and Top Fuel driver with 30 career NHRA wins to his credit.

Pro Stock qualifying sessions are scheduled for 5:15 and 7:45 p.m., Friday, and 3:15 and 6 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will carry qualifying action from 10 p.m. to midnight ET, Saturday and eliminations live beginning at 2 p.m., Sunday.