And The New Driver Of Johnny Gray’s Pitch Energy Funny Car Is…?

Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

As Johnny Gray retires from full time NHRA drag racing, Tommy Johnson Jr. will drive Gray’s Pitch Energy Dodge Charger Funny Car in 2014.

Johnson will compete under the Don Schumacher Racing banner with funding from Gray’s sister, Terry Chandler, and a unique sponsorship mission called “A Year of Giving.”
 
Saying she has “seen his heart,” Chandler chose Johnson from a pool of nearly 50 candidates as she plans to use the Funny Car to support several yet-unnamed charities throughout next year. She also said she will keep the Rob Wendland- and Rip Reynolds-led crew together.
 
“Helping people is one of the most important things in the world to me,” Chandler said. “My daddy, John R. Gray, was an extremely giving man, and I learned from him how important it was to bless the lives of others.
 
“It was very important for me to keep the team together,” she said. “I’ve come to care for everyone on this team, and they’ve been a big part of making this last year special for my brother.
 
“Choosing a driver, though, was truly one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to be part of. This is so very new for me, and it was really, really hard. But Tommy and I have always just gotten along great, and I’ve seen how hard he works and been very impressed by that,” Chandler said.

“I’ve also seen his heart, and I know what driving means to him – he’s a lot like my brother, really. Driving is in Johnny Gray’s heart, just the same way it is for Tommy,” she said. “I really see this as one big family that will be working together.”

Johnson has nine NHRA victories in 22 final rounds, seven in a Funny Car, as he has raced for drag racing legends Schumacher, Kenny Bernstein, and Don Prudhomme. After his last full time NHRA season in 2008, Johnson raced on a part time basis in the U.S., at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) for DSR, and as a championship contender on the FIA European tour in 2011. His most recent task has been juggling Top Fuel driving duties for Rapisarda Autosport International with ESPN pit reporter duties.

Schumacher said he believes “that T.J. has earned the position. He has been part of DSR’s family for a number of years, and he deserves the opportunity.”

Gray has driven the Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car under the Pitch Energy banner this season and has funded the car with his sister.

“It’s been a tough decision, figuring out who will drive the race car,” Gray said. “But I think that my sister and Don made a very wise choice with T.J. He is an excellent driver, and I think he’ll do her proud in the driver’s seat. Tommy and my crew chief, Rob Wendland, have a relationship that goes back quite a ways, so I think it will be a real good fit for the car. I look for them to do great things next year.”