Tanner Gray Q&A

Q&A with TANNER GRAY

‘I HAVE TO ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES’

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

Tanner Gray is unique among NASCAR drivers. He’s the only current driver to have started his career in drag racing, rather than dirt cars or late models.

But Gray was not simply a drag racer. He was a Pro Stock series champion, getting the job done at a younger age than anyone in NHRA history.

The New Mexico native always loved NASCAR, and he was determined to find a way into the world of stock car racing. So Gray left his comfortable life in NHRA drag racing, where he would have excelled, for the challenge of NASCAR racing.

Ever since, Gray has competed for David Gilliland Racing. His younger brother, Taylor Gray, also drives for the Ford Performance team. The elder of the Gray brothers, though, is just settling into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in his third full season.

He’s learned what he needs to work on, and he feels David Gilliland Racing is supporting him to the fullest. With a playoff spot on the line, Gray is ready to prove he’s up to the task.

IN WHAT AREA HAVE YOU DONE WELL AS A DRIVER OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS?

I don’t feel like I’ve done well with anything since I haven’t won a race. I think, when I first started, I was too impatient. I tried to force things and put myself in a lot of bad positions in a lot of the races. That’s something I had to work on a lot. I feel like our trucks are good enough to win, but I haven’t done a very good job at executing.

I wouldn’t say I do anything particularly well, but when you bring better people around you, it makes you step up more. When Jerry (Baxter) came over and having all of these people here, it showed me how to prepare. Before, I didn’t know how to prepare as much for these races. We’re working on it.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THING YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM DAVID GILLILAND AND THE DGR TEAM?

Even when I drag raced a couple of years ago, I was pretty hard on myself. I’d say the biggest lesson learned since I started this whole deal is to try to be more even-keeled across the board. I feel like I have a tendency, when things don’t go well, to get really down. I don’t do myself any favors with that.

The biggest thing I’m working on to this day is trying to take the good with the bad. When I switched over from drag racing, I knew it was challenging, but I didn’t feel like I was challenged to the level I am now. This is a lot more challenging for me, and I’m adapting to not being a contender week-in and week-out. For the first couple of years, it’s been tough on me because I feel like I haven’t done a very good job. But we’re getting better each week and showing some promise.

WHAT’S BEEN THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE TRANSITION TO NASCAR RACING?

The biggest thing is they’re 180 degrees different. The mental aspect of it is, too. You’re going from racing six seconds in drag racing and racing one other guy to two hours against 40 other guys. More so than anything, it’s been the mental aspect. I didn’t do much stock car racing before I switched, so I had to learn the cars, how they drive and everything that comes with it.

WHAT PROMPTED THE MOVE TO NASCAR RATHER THAN ADVANCING THROUGH THE DRAG RACING RANKS?

I grew up racing micro sprints on dirt, and I always enjoyed dirt racing. I was running go-karts and micro sprints. NASCAR is the highest form of racing here in America. It’s the best of the best. It’s what I wanted to do. I just enjoy it more than drag racing. It’s challenging, but I enjoy the challenge of trying to get better each and every week. I prefer the style more than anything.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE SUCH STRONG SUPPORT FROM FORD PERFORMANCE?

Ford has been absolutely incredible to work with. They have opened their arms to not only me, but everyone who has come to DGR. Their main focus is, “What can we do to help you be better?” From a manufacturer, that’s the right mentality. We go to the simulator every Monday and they’re in our competition meetings after the weekend to go over how it went. They’ve been really involved with myself and with my brother. They’ve been awesome to work with.