Qualified ninth and looking forward to an upcoming nighttime run on Saturday at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, Spencer Massey literally had the rug pulled from under his feet when Don Prudhomme announced the pending closure of his U.S. Tobacco Top Fuel dragster operation.

“We were informed about the same time as everybody else,” the 26-year-old Massey said. “Snake is very loyal and very honest about everything that he does. There could’ve been a situation where he didn’t have to tell us about it, where he could’ve just hoped that something would have come along. He’s a stand up guy and did the right thing by telling us, so we’re all in the same boat and know what’s happening here.”

Massey’s weekend continued into Monday, thanks to his 3.972-second pass on Sunday, which qualified him in the No. 16 spot. Massey faces top qualifier Antron Brown at 11 a.m. Monday in the first-round of eliminations.

“That was a saving run for us,” Massey said. “We got down the track and now hopefully we can put on a good show Monday.”

Qualified ninth and looking forward to an upcoming nighttime run on Saturday at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, Spencer Massey literally had the rug pulled from under his feet when Don Prudhomme announced the pending closure of his U.S. Tobacco Top Fuel dragster operation.

“We were informed about the same time as everybody else,” the 26-year-old Massey said. “Snake is very loyal and very honest about everything that he does. There could’ve been a situation where he didn’t have to tell us about it, where he could’ve just hoped that something would have come along. He’s a stand up guy and did the right thing by telling us, so we’re all in the same boat and know what’s happening here.”

Massey’s weekend continued into Monday, thanks to his 3.972-second pass on Sunday, which qualified him in the No. 16 spot. Massey faces top qualifier Antron Brown at 11 a.m. Monday in the first-round of eliminations.

“That was a saving run for us,” Massey said. “We got down the track and now hopefully we can put on a good show Monday.”

Massey, a rookie and currently seventh in the points standings, has one win at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals in June in Joliet, Ill. Massey will remain under contract with Don Prudhomme Racing through the 2010 season.

Massey immediately tried to put a positive spin on the situation, “Obviously, things happen for a reason and maybe this turns out to be a better situation for next year. As of right now, nothing is happening and we’re trying to look, but like I said, things might happen for a reason, maybe for a better reason for something else.”

Although the future of Don Prudhomme Racing, is in limbo, Massey isn’t stressing over his own contract.

“I’m not sure (having someone buy out my contract) is something that we will have to worry about past the end of the year or whatever,” Massey said. “That’s something we haven’t talked about. We’re just dealing with this weekend right now and trying to win a race.”

Now is not the time to be thinking about sponsors and contracts. Massey is concentrating on taking home the Wally on Monday evening.

“There’s never really a good time for this,” Massey said. “It’s not effecting the way that I’m going to work and how I’m going to drive. When I strap that helmet on it doesn’t matter. I don’t know the difference. Things will turn out OK. I’m the kind of guy who thinks the glass is half full, not half empty.

“I’m very grateful for everything that I have got,” Massey said. “If everything washes up and goes away at the end of the year, I still got to drive a Top Fuel car for Don “The Snake” Prudhomme. I couldn’t have had a better opportunity and I ‘m very happy for him to have me over here driving the car. If nothing comes about, it would be sad, but I’m living my dream right now and that’s all I care about.

“Of course I want to drive a Top Fuel dragster next year, and if I can’t, I could always go back to driving an alcohol dragster or working on cars. That’s what I’ve done my whole life. It’s what it is. I’m out here having a good time and I enjoy myself.”

 

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