Danny Gruninger - NHRA Pro Stock

Danny Gruninger is a talent which is just beginning to bloom.

The 23-year old NHRA Pro Stock competitor from Denver, Colo. has the pedigree of a sports champion. A four-time competitor in the Little League World Series representing the State of Colorado, and a former Colorado High School State Golfing Champion who earned his PGA tour card shortly after graduating from high school, Gruninger brings his lust for competition and athletic mental attitude to the NHRA behind the wheel of the six-second, 200 mph Gruninger Motorsports US RECOGNITION.COM Pro Stock Dodge.

At the age of thirteen, Gruninger began drag racing in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing league. In three years he captured one track championship, as well as a National Event title. After cutting his teeth in the junior dragster division, Gruninger continued his drag racing education in the NHRA Super Gas division, driving a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo powered by a small block Chevy engine. In the same weekend he completed his NHRA competition licensing process, Gruninger jumped into the ring by competing at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event held mere miles from his home at Bandimere Speedway.

The 16-year old driver received his first round win at this event. Gruninger did not stop there however. He went on to capture another six consecutive round wins, defeating four former NHRA World Champions in the process to earn his first NHRA Division 5 Wally, in his first race entered. Many said the win was beginners luck, but after several more wins and a runner up for the Track Championship, all doubts were removed.

After a few years in Super Gas, the Monte Carlo was sold, and a new 2005 Chevrolet Pro Stock-style Cavalier was purchased in preparation for his next learning curve, NHRA’s Competition Eliminator. Gruninger spent the 2005 season learning to drive the manually shifted five-speed transmission. At the conclusion of the 2005 season, Gruninger Motorsports liquidated all the race parts to build a B/Altered combination which is a good training ground for future NHRA Pro Stock drivers.

In 2007 the learning curve began to show quality results. Gruninger set class record performances, qualified number 2 at the prestigious US Nationals and claimed his first National Event victory in Dallas, Texas, beating David Rampy (who has won more NHRA Competition Eliminator National Event titles than anybody) by 0.001 seconds in the final round. He earned this victory on a hole-shot.

Today, the Gruninger Motorsports team races in the highly competitive NHRA Pro Stock Professional Category. Driving a Jerry Haas built 2009 Dodge Stratus, powered by a Bob Panella Racing Engines prepared 500 cubic inch Mopar Hemi engine, the young Colorado lion is ready to compete against some of the sports greats such as Warren Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and current NHRA World Champion Mike Edwards.

Outside of drag racing, Danny is a graphic artist for his family’s owned and operated business, US Recognition, a one stop shop for Awards, Embroidery, Screen Printing, Promotional Products and more. Married to his wife Katrina, Danny enjoys spending time working on the family house and playing with his two dogs, Zibbie and Tucker.

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Personal Information:

DOB – 2/24/1986
Hometown – Denver, CO
Career Best Elapsed Time – 6.657 (Pomona, Feb. 2010)
Best Speed – 207.54 (Pomona, Feb. 2010)

Car Information:

2007 Dodge Stratus
Chassis: Jerry Haas Chromoly 25-5e
Body: Mopar Dodge Stratus
Engine: 500 Cubic Inch HEMI
Horsepower: 1400
Redline: 10,000 RPM
Transmission: Libery 5 Speed / Ace Clutch