Wed, 14 Nov 2001, 12:46 PM Team CSK Names Johnny Gray Driver of Blue Team

Courtesy of Bob Wilber

CHINO Hills, Calif. -- Del and Chuck Worsham, owners of the Checker-Schuck's-Kragen Pontiac Funny Car team, announced today that Johnny Gray will take over in 2002 as driver of the Team CSK blue car. Gray replaces Frank Pedregon, who recently resigned from the position.

Johnny Gray

Though 2001 marked Gray's first full season at the wheel of a Nitro Funny Car, the popular driver has spent 33 years in racing, driving on drag strips as well as circle tracks, and has competed in seven classes of NHRA Drag Racing. As a sportsman driver, he became the first competitor to exceed 200 miles per hour in a Competition Eliminator car, when he was competing in the class in 1993 at Houston Raceway Park. He has also driven Federal Mogul Funny Cars and Federal Mogul Dragsters, and has career victories in each of those classes.

Gray spent the 2001 season driving his own Gray Racing Pontiac Funny Car, finishing 13th in Winston points in this, the most competitive season in the recent history of the class. Along the way in 2001, he established career best elapsed time and speed numbers by running 4.82-seconds and 318 mph. He finished the season on a high note, with two semi-finals and a second round appearance in his final three races.

As Del Worsham made the announcement from the team's headquarters, he was quick to point out the attributes that earned Gray the position.

"There were a number of highly qualified people interested in driving the blue car," Worsham said. "The decision became a lot easier to make after we got to know Johnny and we spent some time with him and his wife Terry. I knew he was a fine driver with years of valuable experience, but one of the keys to this decision was our instant comfort level with Johnny. He fits in very well with our group, he shares a lot of the same passions, motivations, and family values we have, and he's going to represent our team, Checker-Schuck's-Kragen, and all of our partners extremely well.

"Johnny has become a very popular driver in his first full year in a Funny Car, but as fans get to know him a little better I think we'll see his fan base become pretty enormous," Worsham continued. "He's a winner on the track, he's an outstanding individual, and a truly nice guy. We're thrilled to welcome Johnny and his family to our program."

Gray is extremely excited about this new phase in his career.

"I am absolutely ecstatic to be joining this team, the Worsham family, and Checker-Schuck's-Kragen," said the 48 year old resident of Carlsbad, New Mexico. "This is a fantastic opportunity for me, to get to drive such a fast running car and hopefully get the first of what will be many Nitro Funny Car victories. I have such respect for everyone on this team, and I'm going to do everything I can to be a positive addition.

"When I heard that Frank Pedregon was moving on to other things, I didn't know what the team was looking for but I threw my hat in the ring," Gray continued. "I was hoping I'd have a chance to work with the Worshams, Dave Fletcher, Rob Flynn, and the great crew they've assembled, and I was on pins and needles for a few tense days while they made their decision. Terry and I were pretty excited when they offered me the job. I wish we were starting the 2002 season next week."

The team will test in January, and Johnny Gray will make his debut in the blue CSK Firebird at the 2002 Winternationals in February.