Photo by: NHRA
POMONA, Calif. – Service Central driver Johnny Gray wheeled his Big O Tires Dodge Charger to a swift and productive start to the last weekend of Full Throttle Series racing for 2012 and earned a bonus point and the provisional No. 3 position for his efforts.
Gray, tuned by crew chief Rob Wendland and assistant crew chief Rip Reynolds, tripped the final timers on the racetrack with an awesome 4.065 at 312.57 mph in a session that was riddled with absurdity, beginning a slew of floppers unable to even make it down the racetrack and concluding with a big boomer for Don Schumacher Racing teammate Jack Beckman."The Big O Tires Dodge felt really strong down low, and I thought we were just on an extraordinary run," explained Gray.
"Then it kind of laid down a little bit on top. But that's what Rob wanted to do; Rob and Rip made several changes because none of the cars were getting down [the track], and obviously they made the right decisions."
Gray's 4.065 was only bettered by John Force Racing drivers Mike Neff (4.062) and Courtney Force (4.032).
"We feel real, real confident going into the race," Gray continued. "That' what we need to do is have four really nice runs and then go out on raceday and win this.
That bonus point helps us stay in fourth place – and we're struggling to stay there. We're going to have a dogfight for it, so we're going after every point we can."
Gray and the Service Central team will continue to work towards their goal on Friday, with one qualifying session scheduled at 2 p.m., and then again on Saturday with two more sessions on the roster before Sunday eliminations.
Don Schumacher Racing
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