CONCORD, N.C. – NHRA Pro Stock star Tanner Gray reaffirmed Friday afternoon at zMAX Dragway that he’s not focused on his future in NASCAR right now, he’s worried about living in the moment and chasing a championship.
Gray, 19, enters this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals at his home track with blinders on and looking to add to his 89-point lead over the rest of the tightly-packed class.
Making the event even more important is the fact that it will mark Gray’s final appearance at his home drag strip – at least for a while – as he transitions back into oval racing next season and joins DGR-Crosley for a run at the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship.
That wasn’t on his mind when he faced the media on Friday, though Gray did admit that it’s a bittersweet feeling as he prepares to depart the sport that his family has made their names in for so many years.
“I haven’t really thought about this being my last drag race at this track – I’m worried about scoring points and going after the big Wally (in Pomona) – but it’s definitely going to be bittersweet, leaving drag racing … moreso just because of all the relationships I’ve developed with all the guys working on the car,” noted Gray. “I’ve been around them since I was eight or nine years old, so that will be tough.
“At the end of the day, though, I have to do what I feel will be best for me and this is the path I feel like I need to take in order to further myself and my racing career.”
With seven national event wins this season and 13 for his career in just two seasons, Gray admitted that he didn’t plan for the level of performance he’s had, but that one always wants more as a driver.
“I had hoped that we would have this kind of success this quickly. You never know for sure,” Gray said. “To be honest, this is what I expected we would be doing last year, is contending for a championship. We obviously didn’t do it as well then as we are right now, but I think this is what we should be doing with the caliber of guys working for us and the equipment that we have.
“A lot of racing is about the people and equipment you have behind you, so if you have that and you’re not performing, then it’s not good and thankfully we’re hitting on all cylinders right now.”
Amid his pursuit of a championship, Gray took time on Friday to detail some of the reasons why he’s making the move away from drag racing at this juncture in his career.
“I just feel that NASCAR provides a better future for younger guys like me,” he explained. “I think they do a better job of marketing their sport and a better job all-around with giving younger talent an opportunity to succeed. I’m still young and still have the opportunity to go do it, so I want to go do it now while the chance is there.
“Right now, I feel like they (NHRA) just have no firm direction with the (Pro Stock) class, and I have no desire to drive a fuel (nitro) car, so this is the path I’m headed down. After my late model deal with LFR (now Fury Race Cars) didn’t end how I hoped it would … I just want one more shot at it and to be able to do it the right way this time around. When I tried it the first time, there were just a lot of things that weren’t straightened out the way they needed to be, but now I’ll be getting into a car that just came off winning a championship and that’s a big deal for me.”
Despite his enthusiasm for what’s to come, Gray still wants to deliver a championship for his family-owned team, particularly crew chief Dave Connolly – who has been a big part of his straight-line career.
“Dave has been such a help to me over the last two years, as far as communication … he’s been there and done it. He knows what mistakes not to make and he’s good about backing me back down when I need to be,” said Gray of Connolly. “Between him, my dad and my grandpa, it would mean everything to me to be able to cap this season off and bring a title home for them.”
Gray also didn’t rule out a potential return to NHRA drag racing at some point in the future.
“There are a lot of older drivers out here, so later on down the road if circle-track racing doesn’t work out for me … I suppose you’re never too old to get in one of these things, right?” he joked. “I mean, just look at John Force and Warren Johnson.
“It can be done. You never know what will happen; I might be back some day.”
First, Gray looks to defend his Carolina Nationals crown on Sunday and move one step closer to the championship he covets.
