Shane Gray back in Pontiac for Dallas

The GXP in action last May at Englishtown.  (Donna Bistran photo)

When the Service Central Racing Pro Stock team and driver Shane Gray arrive in Dallas, the car that will emerge from the trailer will look a little different, yet still very familiar. Instead of the Chevy Camaro that Gray has been driving in recent months, the Denver, N.C., resident will pilot the NTB/Service Central Pontiac GXP at the 27th annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals. The GXP has been garaged since mid-season, and Gray last raced it at the Toyota NHRA Supernationals in Englishtown.

The unexpected car change was the result of a stunningly dramatic wreck last weekend at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Charlotte. Thankfully, Gray was uninjured, but the same could not be said for his Chevy Camaro that suffered irreparable damage.

"The Camaro was a great car, and we sure didn't want to scratch her up like that," said Gray. "But Jerry Haas has another one already in production for us, and we'll have our new car out as soon as we can. In the meantime, we feel real confident about the abilities of this GXP. I almost sold it a couple of times because I never thought I'd need a back-up car, but my dad gave me some good advice and told me to hold on to it just in case. Now I'm glad I did." [9/20/2012]

NHRA announces 2013 engine specs for bikes; weight addition for Harleys to begin this week

Either Andrew Hines (near lane) or Eddie Krawiec have won all 11 PSM events this season.  (Joe McHugh photo)

After seeing complete domination of the class this year by Harley-Davidson machines, NHRA has announced changes to the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. For 2013, Harley-Davidson and Buell will both be allowed a maximum 160-cubic inch displacement (cid) for a 60-degree, two-valve, pushrod engine. Minimum weight for both motorcycles will be set at 625 pounds. The four-valve Harley-Davidson engine combination will no longer be allowed. Suzuki will still have a maximum of 107-cid, for a two-valve engine. Minimum weight on the Suzuki will be 595 pounds. NHRA also will discontinue the four-valve option on the Suzuki motorcycle.

In the interim, NHRA announced a minimum weight increase of 10 pounds for H-D competitors in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. The change will be in effect at this weekend’s Fall Nationals in Dallas. The new minimum weight for Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be 670 pounds.

“We have been working on a long-term solution for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class for the last several months,” said Glen Gray, vice president of technical operations, NHRA. “Today’s announcement is part of our ongoing effort to provide great side-by-side racing for NHRA fans.”
The agent thinks these changes makes a 200mph pass by a NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle much less probable or possible. [9/20/2012]