![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Tanner-Gray-burnout.jpg\")
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In 2017, Tanner Gray won the NHRA\u2019s Auto Club Road to the Future award that signifies the drag racing community\u2019s rookie of the year.<\/p>\n
The grandson of Pro Stock and Funny Car standout Johnny Gray and son of Shane Gray, whose greatest racing achievement (aside from being Tanner\u2019s father) is his 2014 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Pro Stock victory, is currently leading the Pro Stock category\u2019s points chase as NHRA\u2019s Countdown to the Championship begins next week with the Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway outside Reading, Penn.<\/p>\n
The big question facing the driver of the No. 15 Gray Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock racecar is whether he\u2019s matured sufficiently to fight for a championship in these next six races that make up the Countdown. Certainly, Tanner Gray didn\u2019t show much maturity at last year\u2019s season finale in Pomona, when his tire pressures were incorrect. As he emerged from his car at the top end, Gray threw a hissy fit, behaving like a spoiled little kid. One hopes that\u2019s changed since last year.<\/p>\n
While Tanner Gray has always been polite in his dealings with this media member, it\u2019s not been easy to see if he\u2019s genuine. Before last weekend\u2019s Monday eliminations, he said he wouldn\u2019t wear the No. 1 qualifier\u2019s green hat; asked if he\u2019d wear the winner\u2019s yellow hat, he declined to respond.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Tanner-Gray-226x300.jpg\")
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On Monday at Lucas Oil Raceway, Gray defeated first-time Pro Stock Indy qualifier John Gaydosh Jr., three-time champ Jason Line, teammate and defending Indy race winner Drew Skillman before meeting five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., a man who was won the prestigious Indy race three times in the Pro Stock category. Against a prodigious quick leaver, Gray posted a hole-shot win with his .003 reaction time against Coughlin\u2019s .023. The youngster\u2019s trip down the quarter-mile track took 6.641 seconds to Coughlin\u2019s 6.639 at 208.42 mph to his opponent\u2019s 206.80.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, Tanner Gray celebrated his 10th Pro Stock win and fifth of the season that seeded him first in the 10-driver Countdown to the Championship. \u201ci guess the main thing is that I want to strive to be the best racer that I can be,\u201d Gray said. \u201cI continue to work and don\u2019t really settle for what I am right now. I think every driver\u2019s dream is to win Indy at least once and it\u2019s pretty cool for me to be able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old, who was the youngest NHRA driver to win a National event, isn\u2019t known for his manners, and still has a lot of growing up to do. Is he ready to assume the Pro Stock mantle? This writer believes the kid, while a natural behind the wheel, still needs to grow up before he can assume that title. Gray, for his part, is hoping to bring his family their first NHRA National championship in Pro Stock racing. His Gray Motorsports team, led by Dave Connolly, might be well-prepared to produce a car capable of winning the title, but it remains to be seen if Gray has the ability to transcend his own immaturity.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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