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2012 NHRA: Big O Tires Driver Shane Gray In The Top Half After First Two Days Of Qualifying At Auto Club Raceway
Service Central Pro Stock driver Shane Gray continued to show improvement on the second day of the Auto Club NHRA Finals at venerable Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and will head into the last two sessions of qualifying already well positioned in the middle of the field.
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After clocking a pleasing 6.614 at 208.81 mph in the Big O Tires Pontiac GXP on Thursday, the conditions were somewhat improved for Friday's second session, and Gray and his Gray Motorsports team capitalized on the circumstances and powered to an even more promising 6.588 at 209.98 for the provisional No. 8 position.
"It's been a long time since we were in the top 12 heading into Saturday, let alone in the top half of the field," said Gray. "We're seeing things happen now. They're little things, but we're seeing it, and on top of that I think we're making better calls on both the car and the tune-up. So far so good out here."
Crew chief Justin Elkes went on to explain that the team is working with the same engine package that they were running at the beginning of the year at this same facility and in very similar conditions.
"I think that's helping us," said Elkes. "But I also think that our early winter testing is starting to prove that we're going in the right direction. Some things that we've been trying lately are starting to come together.
"As for tomorrow, we can honestly say that we're looking forward to it. There's more left, and we're just going to keep picking away at it."
Qualifying at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona continues on Saturday with two more sessions scheduled, one at noon and the final round at 3 p.m. before Sunday eliminations.
NHRA FULL THROTTLE EVENT: Auto Club NHRA Finals, Pomona, Calif.
Saturday: Qualifying, Noon, 3 p.m.
Sunday: Championship eliminations, 11 a.m.
ESPN2 SCHEDULE:
Saturday: 10:30 p.m. EST, qualifying
Sunday: 7 p.m. EST, eliminations
PaddockTalk Perspective
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