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Grand Bend Tommy Gray Post-Race Report

GRAND BEND, ONT. - Tommy Gray took his popular Undertaker Pro Modified across the Canadian border to show an international crowd what his style of racing is all about. Making spectacular runs in qualifying brought the crowd into the eerie realm ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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GRAND BEND, ONT. - Tommy Gray took his popular Undertaker Pro Modified across the Canadian border to show an international crowd what his style of racing is all about. Making spectacular runs in qualifying brought the crowd into the eerie realm of the Graveyard Gang, as the Undertaker launched with wheels in the air more than once at the IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont. After tough qualifying runs, trying to master the tricky Canadian surface, the ghoulies bit the team in the first round of eliminations.

Gray entered the IHRA's first Canadian venture since 1992 with a runner-up to his credit at the Prolong Winter Nationals opener and an untimely DNQ at the rain-stricken Holley Spring Nationals. Vowing to make a go of the inaugural Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals, Gray showed all signs of a great show in the race, keeping the colorful crew in the run for the money.

Friday qualifying posted the best numbers for the team, Gray hammered a 6.478/210.32 for the ninth spot. As the field improved throughout Saturday, Gray had to make an extended effort to keep the pace. However, Gray's punishment of the Undertaker only succeeded in some scary moments for the team. The first attempt put the wheels in the air and Gray called it off 200-feet out. Gray usually puts on a spectacular show for the crowd during the Night of Fire and final qualifying efforts. It wasn't quite what everyone expected though, as the car veered hard toward the 330-ft markers. Again, Gray aborted the run and faced the field at the number 14 position.

Taking the best he had to offer, Gray's spot on the ladder pitted two of the most popular Pro Mods against each other for the first round of Sunday's eliminations. Facing the Ironhorse Mercury of Johnny Rocca in round one, the professional funeral home operator took the best shot of the two cars at the starting line. However, a top-end slowdown buried the team's shot at a Canadian Championship.

Gray and the ever-popular Graveyard Gang will avenge this loss at the IHRA Amalie Oils Summer Nationals in Cordova, IL, June 17th and 18th.

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