PRO STOCK’S SHANE GRAY READY TO TAKE CONSISTENCY A STEP FURTHER AT TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. — The good news for Pro Stock driver Shane Gray is that he has only two first round losses during the first eight races of his 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, a strong sign considering the always-competitive Pro Stock ranks.

The bad news is that Gray has fallen in the next round at each of those six races, something he is eager to change this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

It’s not the exact type of consistent performance Gray is after in his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro, but he knows the potential for multiple late-round showings is there.

“I think we expected a little more coming into this season, and we’re off to a slow start but I think we’re gaining momentum,” Gray said. “We’ll have to see what the rest of the season holds, but hopefully we’ll see things pick up in Englishtown for the Gray Motorsports team and keep getting stronger.

“We always have confidence in our equipment, the team at the racetrack and back at the shop, and our Gray Motorsports Chevrolet Camaros. But it’s one of those deals where on Sunday you have to run well and do your best behind the wheel or you’re not going to win.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. It marks the ninth of 24 events during the 2015 NHRA season and is a race that Gray has long enjoyed.

The Pro Stock veteran has always been a fan of the immense history surrounding the longtime event, but Gray also has some significant history of his own at the race, at least as far as his family is concerned. His first career Pro Stock final round appearance came at the track in 2010 and to get there he had to beat his father, Johnny Gray.

“The first thing that comes to mind when I look back on the time we’ve spent at Englishtown is racing my dad in the semifinals there in 2010,” Gray said. “It was the first time my dad and I raced against each other on Sunday. There is a lot of history at that racetrack, and I think it’s a pretty neat deal that some of our family racing history happened there, too.”

Gray is more than ready to experience some of that same success this weekend. After a fourth-place finish in points that included one win and three final round appearances a year ago, Gray had high hopes heading into 2015.

The season hasn’t quite materialized like he had hoped and, currently sitting ninth in points, Gray has taken full responsibility.

“I can only speak for myself on (but) I think the biggest improvement that needs to be made if we’re going to get to final rounds and get those wins is driver reaction time,” said Gray, who has four career wins and 12 final round appearances.

Reaction time is one of the many factors that needs to be on point in a class as competitive as Pro Stock. Greg Anderson leads the Pro Stock category with five career wins at Raceway Park, while teammate Jason Line has three wins in New Jersey. Defending world champ Erica Enders, who took over the points lead with a win in Topeka, is looking to add the Toyota NHRA Summernationals to her career victory total, while 2011 winner Allen Johnson, Las Vegas runner-up Vincent Nobile, Houston runner-up Chris McGaha and Shane’s brother Jonathan Gray also figure to be major players in the ultra-competitive factory hot rod class.

Another class standout is 1994 Englishtown winner and recent Charlotte winner Larry Morgan, who leased an engine in his new Camaro this season from Gray Motorsports. Gray credited Morgan for being a tremendous help to his team over the years, and Morgan’s victory in Charlotte also furthered Gray’s own belief his team is capable of racking up victories.

“Larry laid the first brick for me to go Pro Stock racing when he helped us out with an engine in the beginning,” Gray said. “Really, Larry Morgan and my dad are the reason I’m where I’m at today, so I’m really pleased to see his success. It’s a good feeling to know that your Pro Stock engine rental program has a happy customer.”

In Top Fuel, Crampton claimed his first career win at Englishtown, becoming the 100th different driver to win in the category. Three-time Top Fuel world champ Larry Dixon is tied for the most wins at Englishtown, while other standouts include Doug Kalitta, who won in 2000 and 2003, eight-time and defending world champ Tony Schumacher, 2013 winner Shawn Langdon, 2011 Englishtown winner Spencer Massey, 2012 winner Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd, Brittany Force and Antron Brown, who won the most recent event to move into the points lead.

Cruz Pedregon, who has three wins at the event, dominated the weekend at Englishtown last season in Funny Car, qualifying No. 1 and storming to the event win over Del Worsham. Four of John Force’s record 142 career victories have come in New Jersey, but he hasn’t won the event since 1999. Two-time and defending world champ Matt Hagan has enjoyed past success at Englishtown, winning the event in 2013, and other class stars are points leader Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr., Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force, Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, who won the most recent event, and Atlanta winner Tim Wilkerson.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Andrew Hines took home his second Englishtown victory last season en route to his fourth career world championship. Hines is currently second in points to teammate and Bayonne, N.J. native Eddie Krawiec, a 2012 winner of this event. Former Englishtown bike winners Matt Smith, Angelle Sampey and Shawn Gann will all be in pursuit of more success at the event. Meanwhile, Hector Arana Jr., Karen Stoffer, LE Tonglet and Scotty Pollacheck are among a group of riders who are ready to claim a breakthrough E-town victory.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns for its fourth race of the 2015 season at Englishtown. The Toyota NHRA Summernationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where the future stars of the sport earn their racing stripes.

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.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, June 5, with sessions at 4 and 6:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 6, at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 7.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800 or visit www.racewaypark.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, the ninth 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 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J. From the North, take N.J. Turnpike South to Exit 9, follow the signs to Rt. 18 South. Go six miles to the Englishtown exit. Take Rt. 527 South five miles. Make a left onto Pension Rd. Go ¼ mile, track entrance on left.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 60 feet above sea level; Track direction is northeast to southwest.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, June 4-7

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, June 4 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, June 5 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 5:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 6 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:30 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, June 6, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 11 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 7, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 11 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Saturday, June 6, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 1/Transponder 23C

Sunday, June 7, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 23C

(4160 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.

2014 EVENT WINNERS: Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock, Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: Kenny Bernstein, 7, (4 FC, 3 TF); Joe Amato, 6, TF; Larry Dixon, 6, TF; Don Prudhomme, 6, FC; John Force, 4, FC; Greg Anderson,5, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 4,PS; Bob Glidden, 4, PS; Warren Johnson, 4, PS; John Myers, 4, PSM; Dave Schultz, 4, PSM.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.728 sec. by Spencer Massey, June ’12; 329.91 mph by Massey, June ’12.

Funny Car – 3.959 sec. by Ron Capps, June ’14; 321.04 mph by Del Worsham, June ’14.

Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, June ’14.

PS Motorcycle – 6.747 sec. by Eddie Krawiec, June ’14; 197.48 mph by Krawiec, June ’12.

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. by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.; 325.06 mph by Courtney Force, May ’15, Topeka, Kan.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., April ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS: For tickets call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800. Tickets also are available online at www.racewaypark.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the eighth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 628; 2. Tony Schumacher, 575; 3. Richie Crampton, 547; 4. Spencer Massey, 530; 5. Doug Kalitta, 502; 6. Larry Dixon, 476; 7. Shawn Langdon, 473; 8. J.R. Todd, 411; 9. Clay Millican, 395; 10. Steve Torrence, 392.

Funny Car: 1. Ron Capps, 580; 2. Matt Hagan, 575; 3. Jack Beckman, 531; 4. Del Worsham, 507; 5. John Force, 502; 6. Robert Hight, 460; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 456; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 447; 9. (tie) Alexis DeJoria, 395; Cruz Pedregon, 395.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 719; 2. Jason Line, 661; 3. Greg Anderson, 654; 4. Chris McGaha, 542; 5. Rodger Brogdon, 493; 6. Larry Morgan, 452; 7. Drew Skillman, 424; 8. Vincent Nobile, 421; 9. Shane Gray, 401; 10. Allen Johnson, 369.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Eddie Krawiec, 286; 2. Andrew Hines, 212; 3. Hector Arana, 201; 4. (tie) Hector Arana Jr, 195; Karen Stoffer, 195; 6. Scotty Pollacheck, 175; 7. LE Tonglet, 165; 8. Angelle Sampey, 161; 9. Shawn Gann, 155; 10. Jim Underdahl, 128.