SONOMA, Calif. — Jonathan Gray may be a rookie on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit but the Pro Stock driver is also well aware of the situation he is in heading into the second race of the three-week NHRA Western Swing.
By every account Gray has had a banner rookie season, advancing to two final rounds. He is currently 10th in points despite not making his first start until the third race of the 2014 season, but longtime Pro Stock force Greg Anderson trails Gray by just 23 points.
Gray must either hold off the four-time world champion or continue his own climb up the standings to advance to the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship in his first season, which makes this weekend’s 27th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway that much more important.
“The pressure is building, there is no question about it,” Gray said. “You just have to deal with it accordingly and just try to keep things going. For us, we have start qualifying better. This weekend we’ll be working on eliminating the things that have been holding us back with that and hopefully we’ll do better.”
Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN and ESPN2. It is the 15th of 24 races during the 2014 season, but just the 13th career Pro Stock race for Gray, who received his Pro Stock license just before Gainesville in March.
Since then he’s become an important cog in the three-car Gray Motorsports team that also features Gray’s brother Shane, who is seventh in points, and Dave Connolly, who is currently fifth in the points standings. Getting all three cars into the Countdown to the Championship playoffs is the goal and Jonathan Gray has made the most of his first Pro Stock season in his Gray Manufacturing Chevy Camaro.
After experiencing the expected growing pains upon jumping into the ultra-talented class, Gray advanced to back-to-back finals in Bristol and Epping, quickly proving he could compete with the elite Pro Stock talent. But after a first-round loss last weekend in the high-altitude conditions at Denver, Gray is ready for redemption in the Northern California wine country.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to normal racing conditions,” Gray said. “The cars are faster, and it’s just exciting. I’ve never raced in Sonoma myself, but I was there with my brother Shane when he was racing Comp Eliminator in 2009. That was the first and only time I’ve been to this particular track, and I’m excited to race there for the first time in the Gray Motorsports Camaro. It’s a really nice facility and, in my opinion, one of NHRA’s premier places to race.”
Despite the first-round defeat in Denver, Gray, whose father Johnny retired from the Funny Car ranks after the 2013 season, was encouraged with his team’s performance. Led by crew chiefs Justin Elkes and Craig Hankinson, Gray’s team has improved its consistency, an important matter during a key stretch of the season.
“The good news is that it wasn’t a bad run, and I’m pretty encouraged going to Sonoma,” Gray said. “(Last) weekend was the first time we’ve ever got this car to repeat like it did. It will be good to get to Sonoma next week, but (Denver) was a good weekend for us if you look at the bigger picture.”
Gray lost his first-round matchup to Nobile, who picked up his first win in Sonoma a year ago. Other top competition in the class includes reigning world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., Allen Johnson, who won last weekend in Denver, Jason Line, Chris McGaha and V Gaines.
Knowing what he has to do to stay in the top 10, Gray, a contender for the Auto Club of Southern California Road the Future Award that is given to the top rookie each season, has also embraced the challenge heading into Sonoma.
“Before Denver we were in a good position and we had a little bit of a cushion heading up there, but we lost some of that now,” Gray said. “I think we’re still okay, but we’re going to have to go to Sonoma and go rounds. There is no question. We have to or we’ll get knocked out.”
In Top Fuel, defending world champion Langdon took home the win last season in Sonoma and took home his first victory of 2014 in Bristol. Points leader Doug Kalitta, who has seven final round appearances in 2014, has five career wins at Sonoma, but will be challenged by the likes of Antron Brown, who has three Sonoma wins, Tony Schumacher, Spencer Massey, reigning Auto Club of Southern California Road the Future Award winner Brittany Force, Englishtown winner Richie Crampton, Denver winner J.R. Todd, and Steve Torrence.
Funny Car driver Capps has four career victories in Sonoma and earned his first win of this season at New England Dragway. The 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force has the most wins of any driver at Sonoma Raceway with seven and to earn his eighth he will have to get past stars like two-time event winners Cruz Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson, points leader Robert Hight, who won last weekend in Denver, Courtney Force, Del Worsham, Alexis DeJoria, Matt Hagan and Tommy Johnson Jr.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. is the defending champion and won earlier this season in Chicago. Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammates Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec have both won in Sonoma before and currently lead the Pro Stock Motorcycle point standings. Angie Smith claimed the first Wally of her career after defeating her husband and reigning world champion Matt Smith in New England and the Smith pair will be among several riders to watch in the two-wheel category.
Sonoma Raceway will also host the MiraMonte Records Pro Bike Battle, a specialty bonus event in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The event will take place on Saturday, July 26 and feature eight riders vying for the top prize.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, July 25, with sessions at 4:15 and 6:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, July 26, at 12:55 and 3:20 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 27. The MiraMonte Records Pro Bike Battle will occur on Saturday, July 26 with rounds at 12:45, 3:15 and 4:40 p.m.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Sonoma Raceway at (800) 870-RACE (7223) or visit www.racesonoma.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free on the final day of qualifying, Saturday, July 26. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 27th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. The track is located at the intersection of Highways 37 and 121
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, July 25-27.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, July 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 6:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, July 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MIRAMONTE RECORDS PRO BIKE BATTLE at 12:45, 3:15 and 4:40 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:55 and 3:20 p.m.
SUNDAY, July 27 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, July 26, ESPN will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 27, ESPN2 will televise three hours of elimination coverage starting at 9 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Saturday, July 26, Midnight – 12:30 a.m. (ET), AMC 2 / Transponder 18C
Saturday, July 26, 8:30 – 9 p.m. (ET), AMC 2 / Transponder 18C
Sunday, July 27, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), AMC 2 / Transponder 18C
(4060 MHz, vertical; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2013 EVENT WINNERS: Shawn Langdon, Top Fuel; Ron Capps, Funny Car; Vincent Nobile, Pro Stock; Hector Arana Jr, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: John Force, 7, FC; Doug Kalitta, 5, TF; Ron Capps, 4, FC; Greg Anderson, 4, PS; Antron Brown, 3, TF; Darrell Alderman, 3, PS; Warren Johnson, 3, PS; Jim Yates, 3, PS.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.743 seconds by Shawn Langdon, July ‘13; 328.62 mph by Massey, July ‘12
Funny Car – 3.986 seconds by Matt Hagan, July ‘13; 320.51 mph by Hagan, July ‘13.
Pro Stock – 6.512 seconds by Erica Enders-Stevens, July ’12; 212.56 mph by Mike Edwards, July ‘13.
PS Motorcycle – 6.785 seconds by Eddie Krawiec, July ’12; 198.44 mph by Hector Arana, July ’13.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 870-RACE (7223). Tickets may also be purchased online at http://www.racesonoma.com/tickets
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 1,162 *; 2. Antron Brown, 1,137 *; 3. Shawn Langdon, 973; 4. Tony Schumacher, 830; 5. Steve Torrence, 814; 6. Spencer Massey, 811; 7. Brittany Force, 783; 8. J.R. Todd, 705; 9. Khalid alBalooshi, 685; 10. Richie Crampton, 678.
Funny Car: 1. Robert Hight, 1,179 *; 2. John Force, 998; 3. Ron Capps, 921; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 882; 5. Courtney Force, 817; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 811; 7. Matt Hagan, 794; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 781; 9. Del Worsham, 780; 10. Tim Wilkerson, 711.
Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, 1,229 *; 2. Allen Johnson, 1,045; 3. Jeg Coughlin, 998; 4. Jason Line, 951; 5. Dave Connolly, 948; 6. Vincent Nobile, 893; 7. Shane Gray, 865; 8. Chris McGaha, 653; 9. V. Gaines, 596; 10. Jonathan Gray, 516.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 775 *; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 640 *; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 582 *; 4. Hector Arana, 488; 5. John Hall, 438; 6. Michael Ray, 428; 7. Matt Smith, 427; 8. Scotty Pollacheck, 426; 9. Steve Johnson, 396; 10. Angie Smith, 383.
* Driver clinched berth into NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs
