Tanner Gray
Introduction
Tanner Gray is a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) driver in the Pro Stock class. He races in the Gray Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro sponsored by Valvoline. Gray is the youngest professional driver to win a national event in NHRA history.
Background
Born April 15, 1999 to Professional Drag Racer and National event Champion Shane Gray and Amber Gray in Artesia, New Mexico. He is the Grandson of Funny Car and Pro Stock Champion Johnny Gray, making Tanner a third generation Gray to race in the NHRA.
The Gray Family moved from New Mexico to Mooresville, North Carolina in 2010 to allow father Shane Gray to pursue a career in professional drag racing for the NHRA.
Drag racing
2017 marks the year of Tanner Gray's inaugural season racing in the Pro Stock class within the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series alongside his Father Shane Gray.
Only four races into his rookie season, Tanner Gray made history 13 days before his 18th birthday at the 18th Annual Denso Spark Plug Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 2, 2017 by winning the final round against Bo Butner. He was 17 years, 11 months, and 18 days which was younger than 40 year record holder Jeb Allen, who was 18 years, 1 month, and 8 days.
Tanner Gray is running for the 2017 rookie of the year, Auto Club Road to the Future Award. The award is given to the top rookie from all of the sport’s pro categories, including Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Fuel and Funny Car.
Other racing
Gray has raced in different types of cars, including Late models, modifieds, Midget cars, and stock cars. He has raced on oval dirt tracks in the area of Mooresville, including racing in the Mini Outlaw Karts category alongside Kyle Larson and Rico Abreu on Wednesday nights at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury.