JOHNNY GRAY COMES OUT OF FOURTH SPOT

IN SUNDAY’S TIRE KINGDOM GATORNATIONALS

Johnny Gray continued his strong return to Funny Car competition, after a five-year hiatus, by qualifying fourth for tomorrow’s 42nd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals.

The 57-year-old driver of the Service Central Dodge Charger R/T rode yesterday’s 4.079-second/309.84-mile-per-hour, first-qualifying pass into the first round of eliminations against Paul Lee. Lee qualified 13th on the strength of a 4.161/305.29 run

“Everything’s good,” said the Artesia, N.M., native. “Lee [Beard, crew chief], Rob [Wendland, assistant crew chief] and the team are really doing a great job and have from the beginning. Remember, this team did not come together until early in 2011.

“We always set out to do well and win every race, but tomorrow is special because it is sponsored by Tire Kingdom, one of the places you can receive the great Service Central automotive care. These folk – the TBC Retail Group which is the parent of both Tire Kingdom and Service Central – put their faith in us and I want to return it with a Wally for them.”

Gray’s first Funny Car race for Don Schumacher Racing in the Service Central Funny Car, the Winternationals two weeks ago in Pomona, Calif., ended in the first round due to a mechanical failure; he had qualified second.

“We had some issues again during qualifying, both yesterday and today,” But, of course, I am confident Lee and the guys will give me a car tomorrow that will go right down Broadway!”

Eliminations begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow, with television coverage scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on ESP2 and ESPN2HD.