Shane Gray Returns To NHRA Racing, Set To Make Pro Mod Debut With Elite Motorsports In 2027

After nearly a decade away from NHRA competition, Shane Gray is ready to get back behind the wheel.

The former Pro Stock standout and five-time national event winner will return to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in 2027, but this time he’ll tackle one of the sport’s most challenging categories. Gray will make his Pro Mod debut in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Modified Series, driving the Elite Motorsports / Modern Racing / Mason Wright Racing entry that has previously been piloted by Mason Wright and Aaron Stanfield.

The announcement reunites Gray with longtime friends and familiar faces while giving one of NHRA’s most accomplished former Pro Stock racers an opportunity to begin a completely new chapter in his career.

Elite Motorsports Welcomes Back A Familiar Competitor

Elite Motorsports and owner Richard Freeman have a relationship that stretches back decades with Gray.

Freeman and Gray first crossed paths while competing in Competition Eliminator, and their mutual respect only grew during Gray’s Pro Stock career. Elite Motorsports even leased engines to Gray during the 2013 season, when he enjoyed one of the strongest campaigns of his career.

Now, those relationships have come full circle.

“We’ve had a long-standing history with the Gray family,” said Richard Freeman, owner of Elite Motorsports. “We used to race in Competition Eliminator with him and his brother Johnathon. We rented Shane motors in 2013 when he was still racing Pro Stock. Pretty sure he made it to a handful of final rounds that year. One thing that has always stayed consistent was our mutual respect for each other. It feels like it’s time for him to come back to NHRA racing with us, and be part of our racing family. It feels right having him come on board.”

Gray will compete in the Elite Motorsports / Modern Racing / Mason Wright Racing Pro Mod that has already proven competitive with both Mason Wright and Aaron Stanfield behind the wheel.

A Successful Pro Stock Career Comes Full Circle

Before stepping away from NHRA competition following the 2017 season, Gray established himself as one of Pro Stock’s premier competitors.

During his career, he reached 13 national event final rounds, collecting five victories along the way. His breakout 2013 season featured five final-round appearances and one victory, while his final NHRA win came at the prestigious 2017 NHRA Gatornationals.

Rather than continuing to race himself, Gray made the decision to hand the family operation over to his son, Tanner. That move proved to be the right one.

Tanner Gray captured the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock world championship before transitioning to NASCAR, where he now competes in the Craftsman Truck Series for TRICON Garage. Meanwhile, younger son Taylor Gray has continued climbing NASCAR’s developmental ladder with Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

With both sons firmly established in their own professional racing careers, Gray believes the timing is finally right for his own return.

Gray admits the biggest factor behind his comeback isn’t unfinished business in Pro Stock.

Instead, it’s the realization that his sons have built successful careers of their own, allowing him to pursue a new challenge.

“Both my boys are to the point where they don’t really need dad anymore. So, I’m ready to go racing again myself,” Shane said. “I can’t think of a better opportunity than teaming up with Richard Freeman at Elite and Justin Elkes at Modern Racing. We’ve all always been friends, and the Modern Racing shop is 15 minutes from my house.”

That familiarity should help ease the transition into one of NHRA’s most demanding categories.

Reunion With A Championship Crew Chief

Another major benefit for Gray will be working once again with Justin Elkes.

Elkes served as Gray’s crew chief during his Pro Stock career, and together they celebrated one of the sport’s biggest victories by winning the 2014 NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.

That established chemistry gives Gray a trusted voice as he begins learning the unique characteristics of a Pro Mod race car.

While the power, chassis, and driving style differ dramatically from Pro Stock, having experienced people around him should accelerate the learning process.

A Rookie Again At 54

Despite decades of success in professional drag racing, Gray won’t hesitate to admit he’s starting over. His first test session later this year at Rockingham Dragway will also mark the first time he has ever made a pass in a Pro Mod.

He’s climbed into the car. That’s about as far as his experience goes.

“I’ve never encountered Pro Mod before. I sat in the car, but that’s about it,” Gray said. “I’m a student of the game though. Even at 54 years old, I’m looking forward to the challenge, driving something new, learning something new and having a little fun. I think Pro Mod fits me.”

That willingness to embrace being a student again has been a defining characteristic throughout Gray’s racing career and could prove valuable as he adapts to one of drag racing’s most powerful and unpredictable categories.

The addition of Gray further strengthens Elite Motorsports’ presence across NHRA competition.

Already a powerhouse in Pro Stock, the organization has steadily expanded into Pro Modified while assembling a lineup of experienced drivers and proven race-winning equipment. Adding a veteran with Gray’s résumé provides another accomplished competitor capable of contending once he becomes comfortable in the category.