Clinton Ray in the DragChamp Racer Spotlight

Clinton Ray is in this week’s DragChamp Racer Spotlight. Learn all about this DragChamp Pro Member in his spotlight below!

HAMILTON, MI- DragChamp Pro Member, Clinton Ray has been drag racing for over 30 years and like many was introduced to the sport by his Dad. He runs No Box at their local track, US 131 Motorsports Park but, originally started racing at Gainesville Raceway when he was in high school. Clinton took a long hiatus from racing when he was serving in the Marine Corps and just started to get more serious about racing in the past 5 years.

A few racing accomplishments for Clinton include winning the 1992 Gainesville Raceway High School Championship and parking his wife’s Toyota Truck in the winner’s circle at Little River Dragway in the Friday night Street class 6 out of 7 times in a row.

Current Race Car

Clinton’s current car is a 1983 Pontiac Firebird that he has owned for around 8 years. It has a mild 406 SBC with a Powerglide onboard and it normally runs around 6.70s.

Outside of Racing

During the week days, Clinton trades in his hotrod for a semi-truck to make a living. Fun fact- he has been accident free for 21 years! His favorite sport is college football and loves to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs- Go Dawgs! His favorite music genre is Heavy Metal and he spends the most time on the internet watching YouTube racing or train videos with his youngest. His daily driver is a Chevy Traverse- gotta have that AWD in Michigan.

Clinton’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

Bucket list items are making a WFC race and the Bernie Mann race. My goal is just to be competitive again. The ultimate achievement would be to win a big money race. 

What is your favorite race car, and why?

My current car is my favorite. I got this car right after my wife almost died twice in surgery because of Crohns disease. I traded my Camaro for this car so I could still race without as much expense. Little did I know this car would sit on jack stands for 2 years and I would sell everything out of it but the car itself to pay for medical bills. My family is attached to this car for multiple reasons.  

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

Probably my wife. When I get frustrated and want to give up,  she won’t let me. 

Who do you look up to in the sport?

By far a man named Billy Crews. The man was a magician at footbraking back in the day. 

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?

Lots of overtime  

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

Bill Schmidt and Mark Howard. I do some really stupid shit when they are next to me.  

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

Mental focus 

What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car?

For some unknown reason,  I have really bad gas when I’m in the car. People stick there heads in and get a nasty surprise  

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?

Keep it simple  

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

Family and friends  

Are you superstitious?  If so, what are they?

Right shoulder belt first…..always 

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I absolutely hate losing  

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

I’ve lost more races at the finish line than I dare count 

What motivates you to continue racing?

It’s an escape from normal life  

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like?  Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

Only a newer motorhome. That’s it 

How often do you use a practice tree?

Every weekend  

Favorite movie or TV show?

Any Adam Sandler movie 

Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?

Doing stuff around the house….usually the wife’s list 

Name one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m a pretty tender hearted guy. I like to give when I can 

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?

Home. Definitely  

What’s your favorite thing to eat?  Individual item, meal, or restaurant?

Pizza or the wife’s beef stew 

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

My wife is #1. Jerry Sebright and the Sebright family, Stan Jones, Randy Piechocki at RP Grafix, Ryan Piechocki,  John Thurston at Challenger Construction,  Jeff Lettinga at Lettinga Performance Machining,  Chris Hardy at Racing Engine Technologies,  and last but not least, my kids, Jamison,  Lauren, Alaina, Sydney, and Nolan 

For more DragChamp racer spotlights, click here or here. 

Want to become a DragChamp Pro Member like Clinton? Check out the details here.