Former Division 4 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion and two-time national event winner Spencer Massey will make his Top Fuel debut behind the wheel of Mitch King's Bexar Waste sponsored Top Fuel Dragster during this weekend's IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Napa Auto Parts at San Antonio Raceway.  Massey, commonly regarded as one of the quickest leavers in the category posted stellar reaction times of .045 and .036 (.000 is perfect) on his two licensing laps.

 

Massey, 25, of Ft. Worth, Texas, completed the runs necessary to compete in this weekend's eighth-mile only event on Monday in Houston.  On his only full 1/4 mile run, Massey carded a 4.80 second elapsed time at 298 mph in the Paul Smith tuned dragster.

 

"The first thing you notice is it's a lot louder," said Massey.  "You can tell it has more power.  The first 300 feet, it's like a fast A/Fuel pass, but after that it's a whole different animal.  It's like the car launches all over again; it really sets you back in the seat.  Procedurally, it's actually simpler than the A/Fuel car I drive.  I don't have to worry about setting fuel pressure or the idle, the crew handles all of that.  So all I have to do is hold the clutch in, hold the brake, and hit the throttle when it's time to go."

Former Division 4 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion and two-time national event winner Spencer Massey will make his Top Fuel debut behind the wheel of Mitch King's Bexar Waste sponsored Top Fuel Dragster during this weekend's IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Napa Auto Parts at San Antonio Raceway.  Massey, commonly regarded as one of the quickest leavers in the category posted stellar reaction times of .045 and .036 (.000 is perfect) on his two licensing laps.

 

Massey, 25, of Ft. Worth, Texas, completed the runs necessary to compete in this weekend's eighth-mile only event on Monday in Houston.  On his only full 1/4 mile run, Massey carded a 4.80 second elapsed time at 298 mph in the Paul Smith tuned dragster.

 

"The first thing you notice is it's a lot louder," said Massey.  "You can tell it has more power.  The first 300 feet, it's like a fast A/Fuel pass, but after that it's a whole different animal.  It's like the car launches all over again; it really sets you back in the seat.  Procedurally, it's actually simpler than the A/Fuel car I drive.  I don't have to worry about setting fuel pressure or the idle, the crew handles all of that.  So all I have to do is hold the clutch in, hold the brake, and hit the throttle when it's time to go."

 

"After I made that full pass, I was grinning ear to ear," Massey continued.  "It's been my dream all my life to drive in Top Fuel, and if nothing else ever happens, I can say at least I mashed the loud pedal on a Top Fuel car.  It started raining before we could make another lap, but we'll finish that up after Atlanta.  Racing this weekend in my home state will be a dream come true.  I can't wait.  Mitch, Paul, Bodie and the guys are great to work with and I'm really looking forward to it."

 

Drag race legend Gene Snow, who Massey drives for in A/Fuel, spoke highly of his driver's move to the Top Fuel car.

 

"Spencer took to the car like a duck to water," commented Snow.  "Of course, you kind of expect it from him because he's been driving the A/Fuel car for a couple of years now and he's been around these cars for a long time.  For Spencer to have a .04 and .03 light the first time he's ever got behind the wheel of the car is just incredible.  With this being an eighth mile race it's really a perfect scenario for a good leaver.  Holeshots will make an even bigger difference on a short track.  It should be fun to see him get out there and mix it up with the other drivers."

 

"This Mitch King group is as nice a bunch of guys I've ever been around," Snow added.  "Even old Paul Smith, who's been known to be a grump from time to time was very nice and accommodating.  Paul and his son John tune the car and they have a good, conservative tune-up that goes pretty fast and doesn't tear up a lot of parts.  So that coupled with it being an eighth mile race, it should be the perfect outing for a new driver."