Vallen Racing

Jonathon Grey Wins the Carolina Nationals

Rickie Smith Wins the ADRL Summer Drags

The ADRL Summer Drags at the US 131 Motorsports Park included an exclusive roster of champions included 11-time world champion Rickie Smith, his son Matt Smith and Texan Alex Laughlin, all three of them World Championship contenders on the NHRA Mello Yello pro tour.

While a seemingly ageless Rickie Smith dispatched veteran Billy Harper as expected in the Pro Modified final round with a solid 5.800 from his IDG Chevy Camaro, Matt Smith made the most of his weekend away from Pro Stock Motorcycle competition to drive a second RSR Chevy to victory in the Outlaw Pro Mod class.

It was Rickie Smith’s second major win in three weeks after he scored in the NHRA Summernationals in New Jersey on June 11. Matt Smith, a two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ, just missed a tour victory last week at Norwalk, Ohio, where he was runner-up to point leader L.E. Tonglet after qualifying No. 1.

Rickie Smith Wins the SummerNationals!

J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES FINAL (3:28 p.m.): Rickie Smith, near lane, and Troy Coughlin, two of the most successful racers in the history of the J&A Service Pro Mod series, squared off in the final round where Smith drove to a 5.884 to 5.882 holeshot victory. Smith, in his first race back to the series since recent back surgery, drove his Vallen Camaro to wins against Eric Latino, Shane Molanari, and Gainesville champ Steven Whiteley. Smith’s best run came in qualifying where he was tenth in the field with a 5.832.

Story and Image from: http://www.nhra.com/news/2017/nhra-summernationals-sunday-notebook

Ricki Smith Racing

11x world champion
Three-time and reigning NHRA Pro Mod Champion

The Vallen / Rickie Smith Racing Team

Jonathan Gray

Jonathan Gray is a second-generation drag racer. His father, Johnny Gray, raced in various forms of motorsports all of Jonathan’s life – but he was most dedicated to NHRA drag racing, and his father’s influence, however accidental, shaped young Jonathan’s world. The future is yet to be determined for the young man who hails from New Mexico and now calls North Carolina home, but one thing is certain: he has a hunger and talent for drag racing that rivals that of the best. Including his father.

"TRICKY" RICKIE SMITH

“I don’t think people think much about what I’m doing because they’ve seen me just do it and do it and do it, but there’s no one else doing what I’m doing on a professional level [at my age],” Smith emphasized. “I’ve never had more than three people on my team. The last few years it’s just been me and Chad [Hester]. I drive my own truck. I get to the race, I put the awning up with Chad. There’s a lot of work in between rounds for two people to do. I have to make all my own decisions. Chad does the clutch every round. I have to look out for the motor. If something comes up with the rear end I have to jump back there and change the rear end in the car by myself and check on the motor and then go back up next round and try not be late on the tree.

Anchored the quickest Pro Mod field in NHRA history at Englishtown
with a 5.980 second time

Driver
Jonathan Gray

Crew
Rickie Smith
Chad Hester

2017 Vallen Camaro
Carbon fiber body 2425 lbs. with driver
903 cubic inch engine Nitrous Oxide Injection with 5 kits
112” wheel base 4-speed
Lenco transmission with 2:10 first gear 3 disc clutch 3:70 final drive ration

March 16-19
Amalie Motor Oil
NHRA GatorNationals
Gainesville, FL

April 21-23
NHRA Spring Nationals
Houston, TX

April 21-2
3NHRA Spring Nationals
Houston, TX

April 28-30
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Charlotte, NC

May 5-7
NHRA Southern Nationals
Atlanta, GA

2017 NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES

May 19-21
Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals
Topeka, KS

June 8-11
NHRA SummerNationals
Englishtown, NJ

June 16-18
Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol, TN