Images Courtesy: Corral Member fiveoh

It’s with a heavy heart that we have to write this article.  Stormin’ Norman Gray was one of the true pioneers of Mustang drag racing. We have received news that he passed away June 2, 2013, at the tender young age of 75. Norman was one of the catalysts of organized Mustang racing, appearing at the very first 5.0 Invitational put on by Super Fords Magazine in the early 90’s. Norman also competed, and won, at the Mustang Vs. Grand National events at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during the same era. His battles with Kenny Duttweiler are those types of races that are still talked about and will be talked about for years to come – those of us who were there remember them like yesterday. 

Norman should also be remembered as one of the driving forces behind the formation of the original Fun Ford Weekend – without him, none of us might be here today. His Roush Racing-built convertible-turned-coupe nitrous-oxide powered machine turned many heads and brought the world-beating driving talents of also-passed Steve Grebeck to the forefront of Mustang racing. Norman’s 347 cubic-inch engine program was the basis of the deal, and with Grebeck behind the wheel they became the very first Pro 5.0 team to break into the ten-second zone. While that doesn’t sound like much in today’s world of GT500’s and Cobra Jets, it was incredibly quick – and expensive for it’s time, with rumors of $100,000 in the program. 

Norman also put on the well-remembered Stormin’ Norman Invitational races at Maple Grove Raceway in conjunction with the now-defunct Ford Motorsport Nationals – events that drew your author in, wide-eyed, to look at these incredible machines and the men behind them. Somewhere, in your author’s house there’s still have an autographed Stormin’ Norman Invitational t-shirt packed in a box. We’d even venture to say that if Norman wasn’t who he was, this author may very well might still be working in an auto repair shop, instead of tapping away on the keyboard and writing about cars. So long, Norm. We’ll miss ya. Hit the big purge button in the sky for us.