Local resident returns to her roots this Saturday March 31st at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, CA. Toni McCray daughter of OSS 1970’s regular Rick McCray will be behind the wheel of a new Victory Circle ASA Super Late Model. This car was originally being built by Gary & Travis Stockman for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Ron Hornaday Jr. to drive in the second running of the Hornaday 100 scheduled for later this season at OSS, but Toni took his ride.
Toni began her racing career at the age of 12 racing go-karts in Southern California. Her first go-kart race was on the dirt banks of Glen Helen Raceway Park in San Bernardino, CA. She won every race but one in her first season. For the next three years Toni would continue her winning streak with numerous wins.
At fifteen Toni’s dad took her to his old stomping ground, Orange Show Speedway, to test a pony stock. She was the fastest pony there that day. She raced 3 pony stock events before getting into an accident that ultimately destroyed the car. Dad knew that day that Toni had no fear and that she had what it took to be a race car driver.
Rick started his career at OSS and then participated in the NASCAR Southwest Tour, NASCAR West Series, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, & the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series . In 1998 the McCray family made the move to North Carolina. Toni took on the responsibility of running her dads NASCAR Craftsman Truck Team. The team was sold in 2000 and Toni continued to work in NASCAR as a Marketing and Public Relations representative for various teams.
Her most recent employment was with Evernham Motorsports as NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Erin Crocker’s publicist. When Evernham Motorsports decided not to field a Truck in the 2007 season, Toni decided it was time to move back to her roots. Toni says that working in the racing industry is very hard work for the people behind the scenes. Long hours and traveling doesn’t give you much time for a social life. It’s not as glamorous as it may seem on TV.
While living in North Carolina Toni learned every aspect of the racing business. She continued to race go-karts whenever possible and during the summer of 2006 she participated in the Legend series Summer Shootout at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Now with all this knowledge she is now ready to embark on a new adventure.
Now 15 yrs. later on Saturday March 31st it will be Toni’s return to OSS with her very first race in the Super Late Model division. Her goal is to finish the race without tearing up the car. Toni is very excited, motivated and committed to doing well. “I have a lot of people who have worked very hard to make this happen and I don’t want to let them down,” says Toni.
Toni will have a lot of help come Saturday night. Travis Stockman, who is sponsored by McCray’s Diesel Repair, will team up with Toni as they work their way to the top. We are sure the cell phones will be ringing off the hook getting help from family and friends in North Carolina . Some of them will be Travis’s brother Danny Stockman, Truck Chief for Ron Hornaday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck team, Ron Hornaday himself, Toni’s brother Ryan Mc Cray front tire hanger for David Gilliand NASCAR Nextel Cup Team and many others.
Toni would like to say “Thank you to Stan Bishop & his dad Steve at RV Solutions for letting us invade their business to work on the car, also Johnny Soares for getting the body mounted so fast, and especially Gary & Travis Stockman for working night and day to get this car done. Without them this would not have been possible. A very special thank you to my Mom and Dad for having the faith in me and giving me the chance to following my dream”
Toni McCray represents a new breed of female racers with true personality and would like to be a positive role model to girls everywhere. We hope you all will join us Saturday night March 31st at Orange Show Speedway as Toni makes her debut appearance in her #08 Lucas Oil Sponsored ASA Super Late Model race car.
See you at the races!!
