Valvoline/Nova Services pro Shane Gray races to second consecutive semifinal

EPPING, NH – Valvoline/Nova Services driver Shane Gray raced to his second consecutive semifinal finish at the NHRA New England Nationals on Monday at New England Dragway.

The semifinal result in Epping follows a similar effort in Topeka, Kan., two weeks ago and comes at the start of a four-week stretch of four races in a row.

“That’s pretty cool to go to semi’s two times in a row,” Gray said. “I would’ve loved to have taken that next step and get to the final round today, but we missed it a little bit against (Allen Johnson). But we’re close. They know we’re here, for sure.

“(Crew chiefs) Dave (Connolly) and Jim (Yates) have been working really well together, as has the whole team,” Gray said. “I’m really proud of all the guys for continuing to work hard this whole year, and it’s nice to reward them with a few round-wins.”

Gray lost a close race to Johnson in the semifinals, as neither driver’s car got off the starting line well. Johnson’s pass of 6.726 seconds at 207.72 mph held off Gray’s charging run of 6.737 seconds at 208.88 mph.

Gray started the day by taking out five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the first round, leaving first and making a solid pass of 6.623 seconds at 209.36 mph to beat Coughlin’s 6.659 at 206.76 mph.

Gray then took down No. 2 qualifier Bo Butner on a holeshot. Butner’s run of 6.603 seconds at 210.11 mph was quicker than Gray’s 6.620 at 209.52 mph, but Gray’s .045-second reaction time was enough to get the win light.

“Pro Stock is so tough that anytime you can get a win against any opponent, you take it,” Gray said. “That it was a holeshot is pretty cool, of course, but any round-win is a good round-win no matter how you get it.

“I haven’t been real happy with my performance behind the wheel lately, so, yeah, it was nice to get a holeshot win.”

Gray’s recent performance has inched him closer to the top 10 of the Pro Stock points standings. Unofficially, he’s one point out of 10th, two out of ninth, and 10 out of eighth.

“I’d really love to get back into the top 10,” Gray said. “If we keep running like this we will get there pretty soon, but let’s not worry about points too much just yet. If we keep improving like we have been, the points will take care of themselves.”