Tricky track conditions bite Massey

FRAM/Prestone team, remains points leader after grueling Western Swing complete

KENT, Wash. (Aug. 5, 2012) - For the eighth consecutive event, Spencer Massey's FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel Dragster was fastest in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Spencer Massey

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

Unfortunately, having the fastest dragster on property at Pacific Raceways outside Seattle is also what may have contributed to a second round loss for the team.

"It just got hot," Massey said. "It got hotter than we all thought for the second round. Our DSR dragsters wanted to run fast, too fast for the heat.

"We saw a good run down the track before us and we thought the traction would've held what we were shooting for. Our FRAM dragster just wanted to run a little bit quicker. The car was stuck in the groove but started hazing the tires and I pedaled it but David Grubnic was already gone."

Although the race was over early, Massey was still able to find a silver lining. "We are still happy despite an early loss," he said. "Don't get me wrong, we want to win, but looking at the big picture we are still number one in points." Massey leads DSR teammate Antron Brown by five points.

"We are going to go to the next event in Brainerd in a couple of weeks and go as many rounds as we can and hold on to the top spot. That's where we want to be when we head to Indianapolis for Labor Day.

"Overall, our organization as a whole did very well on the Western Swing. We are pleased with this new Don Schumacher Racing dragster and being the top three teams in points. I feel very comfortable as the Countdown nears."

Massey will begin his journey to Brainerd, Minn., on Monday with a few stops along the way to test out his new jet skis with friends.

Top Fuel
Event winner: Steve Torrence
No. 1 qualifier: Spencer Massey, DSR, 3.837 sec., 319.60 mph

Spencer Massey, FRAM/Prestone dragster
Qualified: No. 1

Sunday Eliminations
First Round: MASSEY (3.824 sec., 320.51 mph) def. Ron Smith (6.834, 88.95)
Second Round: David Grubnic (3.958, 281.42) def. MASSEY (5.067, 121.90)

NHRA Full Throttle Standings
(Through Kent, Wash., 15 0f 23 events; DSR drivers in CAPS; * clinched spots in Countdown)

Top Fuel

1. *Spencer Massey, 1,236
1. *Antron Brown, 1231
3. *Tony Schumacher, 109
4. *Steve Torrence, 1108
5. Doug Kalitta, 902
6. Shawn Langdon, 839
7. Morgan Lucas, 829
8. Brandon Bernstein, 766
9. David Grubnic, 756
10. Bob Vandergriff, 633