An Owner’s Journey: Bruce & Clara Gray: Husband & Wife; From Fans To The ’32 Special’

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – GLEN, NY – Their story begins in Amsterdam, NY, where both Bruce and Clara were brought into this world.

Bruce Gray was born on January 4th, 1949 while his wife, Clara, was born on August 12th,1950. They both were brought up in Glen, NY where they still reside to this day. They have two children, a daughter named Melissa (Perry) and a son named Brian along with five grandchildren…Matthew, Macy, and Summer along with Bryan and Lulu.

Bruce worked in the auto body industry for many years until getting a new job in his later years as a heavy equipment operator.

“This was much more of a physical job on me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Clara worked in the Fonda-Fultonville School District as a food service worker for 19 years. She also worked at the Fonda Speedway’s food booth in the first turn for 10 years which she enjoyed very much.

Their racing experience started with Bruce getting involved into drag racing where he would run in the mid 60’s at South Glens Falls and Fonda Speedway’s famed drag strip…the same that featured the “First Lady Of Drag Racing”, Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney. However, that was short lived as the draft came calling in 1967 and Bruce went in to serve his country in which he was a Navy “SeaBee”. He would serve for three years and would come home in 1970. This would be a very special year as not only did he return, but he would marry Clara…the love of his life and his partner in crime. To this day, they have been married for 47 special years.

Bruce and Clara would go to the Fonda Speedway every Saturday night because it was close…and that’s where the best stock car drivers in that era, and possibly all-time, raced. They remember back then it was standing room only each week. It was pretty much the only track they went to.

When you ask Clara who she cheered for, it was Dave Lape and Pete Corey because, in her words, “they were decent, clean drivers.” Bruce, on the other hand, stated that his guy was “The Shoe” Kenny Shoemaker.

“He was exciting to watch,” he said. “Kenny was an aggressive driver like a CD Coville of later years and I enjoyed his style of racing. There was always action around him whenever he was on the track.”

He also rooted for the Monk, Lou Lazzaro.

Clara and Bruce were fans for many years until their daughter married Rob Perry, who drove the #74 in the Sportsman division at Fonda. With this taking place, it put a spark of interest into both of them, and they became more involved with the race team in many ways. Bruce admitted that those kind of cars were an everyday project with time and dedication, and of course money.

Being that Bruce now had the racing fever, he tried his hand behind the wheel of his son-in-law’s car, but when he went out in warm-ups, he was lapped twice by multi-time track champion Jack Johnson while thinking he was flying around the track. Bruce decided that it was a lot easier to win the races from the stands than on the track, and the idea of driving went out the window.

The hard work and long nights on the race car finally paid off, though, as their son-in-law parked his racecar in victory lane for the first time in 2005. Bruce and Clara admitted that it was their best moment in racing due to the fact that Rob was the underdog and beat a top runner for the victory.

The icing on the cake was that the entire family was there to celebrate in victory lane. However, their racing would soon came to an end as Perry had to dedicate time on his farm and to his family. The racecar was put up for sale.

But the Grays were still left with the racing bug and an interest to stay in the sport they enjoyed. Bruce had a buddy who was involved in vintage racing, That was Charlie Scofield, who peaked his curiosity, and told him that running a vintage car would be much more cost efficient and not a weekly deal.

So, the decision to be owners was made. They bought a 1937 Plymouth coupe which carried the #37 and it was on. They had other cars such as the 12a and 711, but they were display cars only.

Looking for the excitement of dirt track racing and wanting to see their car going around the track, Bruce and Clara bought a 1968 vintage dirt modified with a 1962 Ford Falcon body. The number they put on the car was “#32 special.” That represents a rifle cartridge and their grandson Bryan’s favorite gun. The clincher was the way he said “32 special.” It just had to be their car number.

Now all they needed was a driver. They had a couple in the seas but nothing really panned out. Bruce himself gave it another shot, thinking the vintage cars were slower and possibly something he could handle. But after running a feature, he found that he would be a better car owner than driver.

One Friday night in 2015, Bruce wanted to take the Falcon to Glen Ridge Motorsports Park and began talking to his friend, Ed Brasmeister, who suggested Doug Mathewson. Mathewson already had numerous wins under his belt in the vintage class and had, at the time, 37 years of experience behind the wheel. A phone call was made to Mathewson and as fate would have it, he was unable to race his own car due to motor issues. He agreed to drive the ’32 special.’

At the time of the call, Doug was not home and did not have his racing gear with him. Bruce told him “he had gear and to meet him at the track.” Well, that first race together, they finished 2nd and then the next race Mathewson gave Bruce and Clara their first victory as car owners. A bond between driver and owners was formed.

It has now been three years and more wins since the team has been together and when asked about their driver, Clara’s first word that came out was ‘love’…someone who is very precise and meticulous on things and just an overall great guy. She said they are very fortunate to not only have him as their driver, but also blessed with the great friendship that they have developed.

Bruce totally agreed about how lucky they are and what a great guy and super wheelman he is.

When asked what drives the car owners, Carla smiled.

“It’s being involved with my husband in something that he has a great passion for,” she said. “I also like listening to the guys talk about the racing events that went on at the track and just listening to the cars.”

Bruce admits that it’s something he would have done a long time ago if he had the money and time.

The Grays are proud of their accomplishments in the nine years that they have been car owners…which include several wins. Having a competitive car with an experienced driver that can run as a Vintage Sportsman car and beat the vintage Modifieds “with leaf spring under the old girl” is amazing. Oh, and meeting a lot of great friends through the sport.

They are also proud of their dedication they gave to their son-in-law’s race team. The most challenging part of being the car owner is making sure the car is safe and competitive when it hits the track for each and every event.

As talking to Bruce and Clara, I asked them what their persona was, and they both said “easy going” but Bruce admitted that he can be opinionated on what he believes in. What people might not know about him is that he is a nicer person than his demeanor appears to be at times and Clara just shook her head and stated that “I’m just me”.

With the upcoming 2018 racing season in the spring, I asked them both what will be their goals as car owners of the “32 special.”

“To have fun” both said at the same time. “That’s what it’s all about…and of course having competitive racing throughout the entire field and being competitive ourselves. We also want to see good car counts in the class so the promoters will keep giving us races to preserve the history of stock car racing and put a show on for the fans. It’s always a pleasure to meet new friends too.”

Things they enjoy during their retirement years is that Clara likes going to try her luck at the casino and having coffee with the girls. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Meanwhile, Bruce enjoys taking his hunting beagle dogs out with his family, but racing is what he really enjoys.

If you ever want to invite these very special people over to dinner it’s pizza or a calzone for Bruce and spaghetti or seafood for Clara. Country, some 50’s and 60’s music is what you can put on the radio, and yes, you can bet the conversation will make it’s way to racing in some way, shape or form.

So as Bruce and Clara went through their journey of life, they reflect back on the events and the people that made their path go in the direction that it did. with twists and turns along the way, it’s how they went from being fans to car owners with thoughts of looking into the future to keep their voyage going.

Thank you, Bruce and Clara Gray, for being the car owners and people that you are. It takes people like you that brought this sport to where it is today. People that have PASSION, DEDICATION AND LOVE for the sport of stock car racing.

This writer would like to wish you both the best of luck with your racing team and in life.