Spencer Massey Pomona II final report

FRAM’S SPENCER MASSEY GRABS RUNNER-UP SPOT DURING COME-BACK SEASON

Spencer Massey reacts after being defeated

Photo by: Ted Rossino

POMONA, Calif., November 13, 2011 – Spencer Massey’s story-book season came to a close Sunday when his FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel dragster was narrowly defeated in the semifinals of the 47th-annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals here, which clinched the runner-up position in the Countdown to the Championship standings.

The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel championship came down to a third-round battle between Massey and Del Worsham, who began the day less than a round in the lead. Worsham prevailed by the slimmest of margins – four thousandths (.004) of a second in one of the closest title-clinching contests.

Coming out of the fourth-qualifying position, Massey opened the day by defeating Cory McClenathan followed by a victory over Morgan Lucas in the quarterfinals, which set up the match with Worsham.

“Of course I’m disappointed, despite how well we did both today and throughout the season,” said the 29-year-old Don Schumacher Racing driver. “This was just indicative of how close Top Fuel is now. We had four cars come into this final race of the year less than three rounds apart and the championship was decided by an incredibly small margin.”

Massey ended his inaugural season as the 2009 rookie of the year, but lost his ride when his team lost its sponsorship. A call from Don Schumacher late last year provided the Fort Worth native with a second chance.

“It’s been an awesome experience, more than I could have ever hoped for,” he said. “I just have to thank Don and the great folks at FRAM/Prestone/Autolite for believing in me and trusting me and for giving me this chance and putting me back behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster.”

“Spencer had a fantastic year, and FRAM is so proud to have him represent our brand,” said Duane Pekar, President of FRAM/Autolite. “His commitment and no-nonsense style on the track is why he is such a great fit for FRAM. We look forward to watching him on the track again in 2012.”

The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season included four wins in eight final rounds as well as a streak of 40-consecutive rounds without smoking the tires.

“I can’t say enough good things about Phil, Todd (Shuler, Okuhara, co-crew chiefs) and all my FRAM guys for the great race car they gave me week in and week out,” said Massey in praising the crew for its work throughout the campaign. “I have the easy job of just getting a good light, hitting the throttle and staying in the groove; they have to make sure I’ve got the car which can win.”

“The success we had this year has me itching to get right back in the cockpit and get after the 2012 championship. I’m living my dream of driving a Top Fuel dragster – don’t anyone pinch me because I don’t want to wake up.”