Most museums ask visitors to stay behind the velvet ropes, to admire but never touch, to observe marvels that haven't turned over in decades. The Gray Motorsports Museum takes a decidedly different approach. Here, in a 43,000-square-foot facility tucked away right here in Jupiter, every single vehicle can fire up and drive out the door at a moment's notice. It's not just a collection—it's a living, breathing celebration of automotive history.

The museum emerged from a simple challenge faced by many collectors: where to properly house and maintain a growing fleet of remarkable machines. What started at the old Miller Mustang barn eventually outgrew its space, leading to the construction of a purpose-built facility that opened its showroom doors in early 2024. But calling it merely a showroom doesn't do it justice. The building is a carefully orchestrated experience, where nostalgia meets craftsmanship at every turn.

Running the day-to-day operations is Craig Hankinson, whose partnership with the museum's founder spans nearly three decades. Their story begins in November 1997 at Pomona, where Craig was serving as crew chief for another Pro Stock team. He noticed a frantic pit crew working on a damaged alcohol funny car—a spark plug had blown through the body, leaving a massive hole and flames shooting out the front. Craig walked over and asked if they needed help patching the hood. They did, and he fixed it. That chance encounter with Johnny Gray planted a seed.

Ten years later, in 2007, Craig—now driving for a different Pro Stock team—received a phone call that would change his future. Johnny was assembling a Pro Stock team and needed a crew chief. After some conversation, Johnny made his characteristic direct pitch: did Craig want the job or not? When Craig said he needed to think about it, Johnny didn't hesitate. "Go home, pack a bag, and get to the airport," he told Craig. "We're flying to New Mexico tonight. There'll be a truck waiting for you in the Kmart parking lot in the morning."

The challenge was daunting—Craig arrived to find an 18-wheeler and essentially nothing else. No tools, no transmissions, no clutches, no tires, no wheels, and no crew. Just an empty truck and the job of building a race team from scratch. But Craig knew what needed to be done, and together they built something special. For six years, from 2007 until Johnny retired from racing in 2013, Craig served as crew chief, helping guide the team to success.

When Johnny began planning the museum and purchased property in Florida, he called Craig with another proposition. "Why don't you retire and come down to Florida?" Johnny asked. "We'll build this museum, and you can babysit my cars and take care of them, and we'll finish this out together." Craig moved from North Carolina and the Gray Motorsports racing facility to Florida in 2016, trading his previous shop for year-round access to a dream workshop. His expertise extends far beyond simply maintaining these automotive treasures—he's the mastermind behind the comprehensive restoration work that makes the museum truly special.

"We don't just park cars here," Craig explains. When a vehicle arrives at the museum, even if it's supposedly in good condition, it undergoes a complete mechanical evaluation. The goal is simple: museum quality means everything works. Brakes, transmission, engine, electrical systems—if it's supposed to function, it will. This philosophy sets the Gray Motorsports Museum apart from typical automotive collections where vehicles often sit as static displays, their fuel tanks empty and battery-free.

The restoration work happens in a state-of-the-art workshop that would make any mechanic envious. Four hydraulic lifts, a dedicated welding room, comprehensive tool collections, and organized parts storage ensure that whatever a car needs, the facility can provide. Craig's skills encompass everything from precision fabrication to intricate mechanical rebuilds. One of his personal projects, a 1971 Ironhead Sportster motorcycle, showcases his talents; he cut the frame in half, rebuilt the motor, fabricated custom handlebars and exhaust, essentially creating a one-of-a-kind machine from scratch.

Step inside and you're immediately transported to another era. The museum's design draws inspiration from classic Americana, with painstaking attention to authentic details. A vintage Sinclair pump stands in front of a gas station diorama. The decision to feature Sinclair wasn't some grand master plan; Johnny found an exceptional vintage Sinclair pump first and built the theme around it.

The walls throughout the facility tell stories of automotive history through carefully crafted murals and replica signage. Painted scenes depict a Stutz dealership, a Duesenberg showroom, and a Packard sales floor—all based on actual buildings from the 1920s and 30s. There's imagery of an Allsup's convenience store and a NAPA auto parts display, each evoking the era when these brands defined American automotive culture. The attention to detail in these wall treatments creates an immersive experience that places visitors squarely in the golden age of American automobiles.

The downstairs lounge holds particular emotional significance. Johnny dedicated this space to his father, complete with a custom mural created by Gary Morton, a renowned Western artist. The artwork captures the spirit of a man who spent his afternoons playing pitch with his oil field buddies, enjoying Crown Royal and the camaraderie of honest work. Johnny's father was a devoted John Wayne fan, and the space honors that passion with classic photographs of the legendary actor. Even the boots and hat on display carry deep meaning; they're what his father was wearing on his final trip to Roswell for surgery. It's a tribute that transforms a simple bar area into something far more personal, a reminder that behind every collection lies a human story.

Upstairs, a trophy room showcases racing achievements spanning generations, including a 2018 Pro Stock championship victory. The attention to authenticity extends beyond the automotive realm. An old cotton wagon sits on display, complete with canvas top and wooden wheels. Historic photographs and signage dot the walls, each piece telling part of a larger story about American ingenuity and the open road.

While the Gray Motorsports Museum is a private facility, Johnny does open the doors for charitable causes. The space has hosted fundraising events for Place of Hope, South Florida's largest faith-based organization serving children and families in crisis, and Operation 300, which supports law enforcement, first responders, and Gold Star Families—their primary focus. In August 2024, Admirals Cove member Dee Decker hosted the Caden Ingram Foundation event at the museum, raising funds and awareness to combat the opioid crisis, a cause that resonates deeply in communities across the country.

The facility's flexibility allows it to transform for different events. The spacious showroom can accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale fundraisers. During these events, the workshop area often serves as a staging zone for caterers, while the collection itself provides natural conversation starters and entertainment.

The museum continues to evolve. New acquisitions await restoration, each one destined to join the ranks only after meeting the facility's exacting standards. Craig remains committed to the hands-on approach that makes this collection special, spending his days welding, rebuilding, and fine-tuning these mechanical masterpieces.

For Craig, who is now a full-time Florida resident, the museum represents more than just a job; it's a passion project that combines decades of racing knowledge with meticulous restoration craftsmanship. "I'll do this until I can't do it anymore," he says with a smile, and given the quality of work emerging from the facility, that's excellent news for automotive history.

In the coming months, Craig will be sharing more about the machines housed in the museum. Check out this space next month for our first round of photos and notes on some of these beautiful cars and maybe some memories of their times on the road.