Undertaker Team, but we weren’t given a platform to capitalize on our efforts. I do see the potential in the PDRA to draw in more sponsors. It’s all about getting the people there and getting their attention. I like to actually get them to a race and make them part of it.”

The Undertaker was certainly good at getting people’s attention. With the mascot in full regalia leading the team, a graveyard flag streaming from the car during the burnout and eye-catching lights and design on the car, Gray had everyone’s attention when he came to the line. He had no trouble turning heads of fans, manufacturers and non-automotive sponsors alike. Now he looks forward to bringing his showmanship to the PDRA.

“I have been testing a lot in the last four years, trying to find consistency because that’s one of the problems in Pro Mod,” Gray continued. “Over the last four years we’ve been beat up hard, but now we have a real strong program. We’re consistent and fast. One of my longtime partners, Conley Funeral Homes, talked to me about running these last PDRA races. So my plan now is to run the last four events in Pro Boost. I look forward to showing the four years of testing we’ve been doing. But, believe me, it’s race to race, running each different track.”

Along with Conley Funeral Homes, Richard’s Automotive is backing The Undertaker for his limited schedule, but Gray admits that without additional investment from companies, The Undertaker will be sidelined again after 2014. For now, the Undertaker’s new car - a Jeffer’s built C5 Corvette - won’t be wrapped for it’s PDRA debut. “We hope to put together a whole team, whether it’s a team owner, team partner, driver, whatever. We have the capabilities to run a two car team if someone was interested. Our new car isn’t wrapped or painted. It just says Undertaker on the window. Until we get an investor that wants to wrap it, that’s the way it will have to stay.”

The Corvette chassis tuning and power management was done by Gray himself, with a Mike Janis engine providing the horsepower. Gray will pull double duty, making many tuning calls himself, as well as steering the Undertaker down the eighth mile. His crew rounds out with Wade Taylor, Wayne and Wayne Jr. Waldmann. As a tuner, Gray helps out several other teams and is also available for consultation at the final four PDRA events.

The last time fans had the opportunity to see Gray compete professionally was when the ADRL visited his home track, Maryland International Raceway in 2008. It was Gray’s first time with the ADRL, and he won the event, bringing his total national event wins to five. He also holds a Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association Championship. Although it’s too late to hope for a PDRA Championship in 2014, Gray knows his team has the potential.

“The last four years we’ve been doing some heavy testing and heavy failing. We’ve finally figured out a lot of tire shake problems and what causes these problems. It’s no one turn of a button. It’s getting the combination right. The marketing part was always where I was strongest. I had a lot of companies backing me back in the day. We got them involved by physically getting them to the racetrack and making them part of our deal. And they had as much fun as everybody else. We got them excited, got their fires lit up. So that’s what we’re going to try to do one last time. We definitely have the potential to be a front running team, a Championship team and we’re looking forward to getting back out there. I’m sure hoping I can do my part to help drag racing grow.”

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Photo: GoDragRacing.org (Mark)