Lucama, NC — Tony Grady’s engine has been deemed legal after an exhaustive tear-down process and he is officially the winner of the 2014 Thanksgiving All-Star Classic.
Grady’s “Hickory Little” motor was confiscated following the Thanksgiving All-Star Classic, which was run on November 30th, so Southern National Motorsports Park’s tech officials could tear it down. They had attempted to do so immediately following the race but, according to track co-owner Michael Diaz, they did not have all the parts they needed.
“It’s all said and done,” Grady said. “I knew we were fine. There were no questions with that motor. It was checked top to bottom. Everything in it was teched. It will give them something to talk about I guess.
“I think we’ve been called every name you can think of lately. I was surprised about that from fellow competitors. We did our homework and it was our day. There was no cheating going on. I’ve heard it all. It was our day. Everybody seems to think you’re cheating when you’re doing your homework. When you get to the throttle before the guy behind you does, everyone thinks you’ve got 100 more horsepower.”
Grady dominated the race while his son, Andrew, had finished second in the event – but Andrew was disqualified after tech for using after-market pistons in his GM 603 sealed motor. The track rulebook states that parts used in the crate engines must be factory parts. Andrew said they had attempted to get factory pistons but they were on backorder.
“I hate the deal that happened with Andrew and that was an oversight on our team’s part,” Tony stated. “He didn’t have an advantage here. This tech was a little much for this race I thought. I’ve never been through a tech like this. I don’t even think Martinsville techs this bad.”
Tony Grady’s victory is his first of the season in only his second race of the season.
“I haven’t been in a racecar much in the past year and a half. I sort of retired and this opportunity presented itself so I thought it would be fun to race with Andrew. I’m surprised we were that good and won the race. Cobwebs shook off really quick. You don’t forget, it came back really quick. It’s kind of like riding a bicycle.”
After the disqualification of the younger Grady, Clay Jones inherited a second place finish while Rusty Daniels, Joey Throckmorton and Ryan Glenski rounded out the top-five in the 19 car field.
RACE22.com reached out to Clay Jones who said he had no comment at the moment.
Race Results
1. #4T Tony Grady
2. #15J Clay Jones
3. #16 Rusty Daniels
4. #21 Joey Throckmorton
5. #28 Ryan Glenski
6. #50 Haley Moody
7. #98 JD Eversole
8. #21C Monty Cox
9. #36 Mark Simpson
10. #51 Cory Walker
11. #1 Wayne McGee
12. #51B Chris Chapman
13. #29M Mitch Walker
14. #29 Robert Bruce
15. #9 Charles Watson
16. #12B Joey Phillips
17. #19 Adam Congrove
18. #42 Daryn Cockram
19. #1G Andrew Grady — DQ
