Tanner Gray, not stock/super stock news,

jmcarter · 09-25-2018, 08:17 AM

Recognizing many will say “so what” indeed this is noteworthy and speaks to how NHRA has mismanaged a class that many of us held as being the zenith of drag racing. KB and Elite attempts to field extra teams aside, they can all see the handwriting on the wall. Elite’s entry into Pro Mod and the growth of that class (along with Mountain Motor PS “exhibition”) are just further examples of the coming direction. While the Gray family could care less about sponsorship exposure others have felt the pinch of being unable to get any TV exposure while FOX produces and airs a dedicated Pro Mod show. There’s no doubt that Tanner is a talented racer and if nothing else NASCAR will test his skills and if successful deliver what the big egos desire. Will be interesting to see how this plays out, particularly for guys like Jason Line, my current PS favorite.

Bob, one distinction between Tanner and Danica, the kid at least has some talent.

BG56 · 09-25-2018, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Recognizing many will say “so what” indeed this is noteworthy and speaks to how NHRA has mismanaged a class that many of us held as being the zenith of drag racing. KB and Elite attempts to field extra teams aside, they can all see the handwriting on the wall. Elite’s entry into Pro Mod and the growth of that class (along with Mountain Motor PS “exhibition”) are just further examples of the coming direction. While the Gray family could care less about sponsorship exposure others have felt the pinch of being unable to get any TV exposure while FOX produces and airs a dedicated Pro Mod show. There’s no doubt that Tanner is a talented racer and if nothing else NASCAR will test his skills and if successful deliver what the big egos desire. Will be interesting to see how this plays out, particularly for guys like Jason Line, my current PS favorite.

Bob, one distinction between Tanner and Danica, the kid at least has some talent.

I'm sorry sir, I have to reply to your last line. I spent some time around FF2000, Star Mazda, Indy Lights teams and know Danica has plenty of talent (and smarts). Everyone I'm sure, agrees with that. I will not get in to a M/F discussion BUT I think any fan that knows anything realizes she was resented when she showed up and throughout her stint in Nascar got very little help/cooperation (drafting and close-knit racing) with many of the "front-runners". She'll be fine -successful businesses and maybe future Mrs. Rodgers(?)!

jmcarter · 09-25-2018, 08:53 AM

BG, don’t want to completely hijack the thread but my son and I have driven plenty of road courses and there are literally thousands of very talented drivers competing in SCCA and other venues around the country. Very few are talented enough to succeed in NASCAR, my comment was concerning the talent level necessary to compete at that level. Wish NASCAR had a Erica equivalent or someone on the horizon; I would be their biggest fan.

Mike Pearson · 09-25-2018, 08:41 AM

Not good news for the pro stock class. The Grays have certainly become a force in that class and are at the top of the class right now with performance and driving. No one can deny that the kid is the best driver in the class right now. They make plenty of power as well. Nascar is a whole bunch different than Pro Stock. Much more of a team effort. Hopefully he can be equally successful over there. The truck class is mostly young men like Tanner so he should fit in real good over there. One of my good friends that I grew up with son raced the truck series for about half of the season this year. Robbie Lyons. He actually ran pretty good at a few races but could not get enough sponsor money to continue.

Bobby DiDomenico · 09-25-2018, 08:55 AM

Folks complain about his attitude. I'm sure everyone has done something that now we wished had been different. Watched a truck race some weeks back and a guy crashed his teammate on the last corner for the win and then jumped up and down at the end like he did something spectacular. Tanner can do no worse than some of the drivers they have now. I agree this is bad PR for the class which lately seems to have teams helping cars for filling out the fields. Imagine the past champion leaving drag racing! (Any conspiracy folks out there?:-)

FireSale · 09-25-2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby DiDomenico

Folks complain about his attitude. I'm sure everyone has done something that now we wished had been different. Watched a truck race some weeks back and a guy crashed his teammate on the last corner for the win and then jumped up and down at the end like he did something spectacular. Tanner can do no worse than some of the drivers they have now. I agree this is bad PR for the class which lately seems to have teams helping cars for filling out the fields. Imagine the past champion leaving drag racing! (Any conspiracy folks out there?:-)

John Hunter Nemechek and Cole Custer...

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/772541156236210176

novassdude · 09-25-2018, 12:35 PM

If all Nascar races were like that I would actually watch it.

Just remember Tanner was racing in circles long before he came to NHRA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireSale

John Hunter Nemechek and Cole Custer...

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/772541156236210176

Mike Jones · 09-25-2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Not good news for the pro stock class. The Grays have certainly become a force in that class and are at the top of the class right now with performance and driving. No one can deny that the kid is the best driver in the class right now. They make plenty of power as well. Nascar is a whole bunch different than Pro Stock. Much more of a team effort. Hopefully he can be equally successful over there. The truck class is mostly young men like Tanner so he should fit in real good over there. One of my good friends that I grew up with son raced the truck series for about half of the season this year. Robbie Lyons. He actually ran pretty good at a few races but could not get enough sponsor money to continue.

The story in print is about TG, but I have to believe Gray Motorsports is making a business decision. The rest of the qualifiers, happy to see him go, might be making new plans of their own.
Mike A114

09-25-2018, 08:17 AM	#1
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,308 Likes: 2,413 Liked 3,226 Times in 981 Posts	Re: Tanner Gray, not stock/super stock news, Recognizing many will say “so what” indeed this is noteworthy and speaks to how NHRA has mismanaged a class that many of us held as being the zenith of drag racing. KB and Elite attempts to field extra teams aside, they can all see the handwriting on the wall. Elite’s entry into Pro Mod and the growth of that class (along with Mountain Motor PS “exhibition”) are just further examples of the coming direction. While the Gray family could care less about sponsorship exposure others have felt the pinch of being unable to get any TV exposure while FOX produces and airs a dedicated Pro Mod show. There’s no doubt that Tanner is a talented racer and if nothing else NASCAR will test his skills and if successful deliver what the big egos desire. Will be interesting to see how this plays out, particularly for guys like Jason Line, my current PS favorite. Bob, one distinction between Tanner and Danica, the kid at least has some talent. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table Last edited by jmcarter; 09-25-2018 at 08:20 AM.

09-25-2018, 08:53 AM	#3
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,308 Likes: 2,413 Liked 3,226 Times in 981 Posts	Re: Tanner Gray, not stock/super stock news, BG, don’t want to completely hijack the thread but my son and I have driven plenty of road courses and there are literally thousands of very talented drivers competing in SCCA and other venues around the country. Very few are talented enough to succeed in NASCAR, my comment was concerning the talent level necessary to compete at that level. Wish NASCAR had a Erica equivalent or someone on the horizon; I would be their biggest fan. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

09-25-2018, 08:41 AM	#4
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,462 Likes: 620 Liked 1,948 Times in 589 Posts	Re: Tanner Gray, not stock/super stock news, Not good news for the pro stock class. The Grays have certainly become a force in that class and are at the top of the class right now with performance and driving. No one can deny that the kid is the best driver in the class right now. They make plenty of power as well. Nascar is a whole bunch different than Pro Stock. Much more of a team effort. Hopefully he can be equally successful over there. The truck class is mostly young men like Tanner so he should fit in real good over there. One of my good friends that I grew up with son raced the truck series for about half of the season this year. Robbie Lyons. He actually ran pretty good at a few races but could not get enough sponsor money to continue. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

09-25-2018, 08:55 AM	#5
Bobby DiDomenico Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 924 Likes: 104 Liked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Tanner Gray, not stock/super stock news, Folks complain about his attitude. I'm sure everyone has done something that now we wished had been different. Watched a truck race some weeks back and a guy crashed his teammate on the last corner for the win and then jumped up and down at the end like he did something spectacular. Tanner can do no worse than some of the drivers they have now. I agree this is bad PR for the class which lately seems to have teams helping cars for filling out the fields. Imagine the past champion leaving drag racing! (Any conspiracy folks out there?:-) Last edited by Bobby DiDomenico; 09-25-2018 at 09:20 AM.