With former world champion and winner of this very race one year ago Spencer Massey watching from the starting line, Del Cox Jr. was able to drive around Bobby Lagana Jr. in the Top Fuel final at the IHRA Northern Nationals presented by Dart Machinery Sunday afternoon in Martin, Mich.

It was déjà vu all over again for the rookie out of Downey, Calif. and the Mitch King Motorsports bunch as Cox and his team found themselves parked just inches from where Massey’s rig was parked last year – and everyone knows how that turned out.

Massey went on to win the ’08 Northern Nationals and eventually the championship in his first year on the tour and now Cox, exactly one year later in the same car Massey drove to the victory, was able to repeat the performance of the man who helped him get his current ride.

“I had some big shoes to fill this weekend with Spencer being here, but he is my boy,” Cox said. “He has taught me a lot and I am happy he was out here and showing us some love. That is awesome.

“He has given me a lot of driving tips over the years and he is just a great driver that is why he is racing for the Snake. It was just an awesome weekend.”

With the win Cox was able to pick up his second consecutive Ironman and third total of the season, but more importantly was able to make up major ground in the Top Fuel title chase after leader Bruce Litton fell out in the first round.

Cox is now just 15 points back of the lead.

“That is what we were hoping for. It is almost mind-blowing,” Cox said. “Things happen for a reason and having my dad looking over us, my grandma, this is just awesome. This is a dream come true and hopefully we can turn this into a championship.”

Cox ran a solid 4.732 elapsed time at 308.14 miles per hour to get around Lagana (Scarsdale, N.Y.) who was in his second final round of the season. Lagana made a 4.780 second pass at 289.63 mph in the runner-up effort as Cox won the race at the line.

“I have to thank all these guys. Paul Smith, Mitch King, all of our sponsors. RJ Industries, Bexar Waste, everybody that has helped us out,” Cox said.

Cox defeated Lagana and Tim Cullinan to reach the final.

Lagana turned around a disappointing stretch that included four first round exits in the last five races with his second runner-up finish of the season.

Cox reached the final via a freebie when team owner Mitch King failed to show. Cox ran a 4.812 second lap at 264.86 miles per hour to give lane choice to Lagana. Lagana reached the final by defeating Tim Boychuk with his best pass of the weekend at 4.749 seconds at 302.96 miles per hour.

Boychuk, who upset points leader Litton in the opening round, ran a 4.834 elapsed time at 279.44 mph.

Litton, who had been to five final rounds in six races entering Sunday, lost to Boychuk in a tremendous side-by-side race. Boycuk put down a solid 4.771 E.T. while Litton was just behind at 4.801 seconds.

The only other time Litton failed to reach a final round this season was another first round exit back in May.

In other quarterfinal action Lagana was able to get around Terry McMillen in a battle of two cars that just squeaked into the field. It was Lagana’s first round win since Tulsa over a month ago and only his second successful weekend since Baton Rouge back in March.

In other action Cox was able to keep his championship hopes alive with a win over Tim Cullinan and King pulled an upset of No. 2 qualifier Pat Dakin.

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