Shane Gray and the Gray Motorsports Pro Stock team made a big statement on The Mountain outrunning many of their competitors to work their way up into the No. 4 position in NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings. 

The dedicated Gray Motorsports crew drove straight to Denver from the last race on the tour in Norwalk, Ohio, to test their Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro.

Gray, of Denver, N.C., made three extraordinary qualifying passes in the six-second zone to start from the No. 3 position. On raceday, the second-generation driver drew family friend and fellow competitor Larry Morgan as a first-round opponent, and their match was decided on the starting line as Morgan red-lighted by 0.015-second. Gray raced ahead to drive the win home on a stout 6.990 pass at 196.79 mph that was third quickest of the round.

In a continuing display of power, Gray clocked a best of the round 6.981 at 196.96 mph in the quarterfinals to shake off Vincent Nobile.

The semifinals proved to be the stopping point for Gray as he fought hard to overcome opponent V. Gaines' psychic 0.002-second reaction time. Although Gray crossed the finish line with a 7.000 that was second only to eventual event winner Allen Johnson in the round, Gaines' edge at the starting line made the difference at the finish, and he was awarded the victory with a 7.011.

"This is hands down, by a long shot, the best car I've ever had," said Gray. "And this team is the best there is. I've got to hand it to my guys, this is a total team effort and we're getting real close to a win.