June 27, 2007
Drag Racer's Career Off To Fast Start
by ERIC RANSOM / Fort Worth Star Telegram
You'll have to pardon Spencer Massey if he's a little jumpy at traffic lights. It's a by-product of his profession.
The 24-year-old from Fort Worth is leading the drag-racing pack in the NHRA's Top Alcohol division, where the cars look and operate similarly to the long-nosed Top Fuel dragsters. With the way Massey has started his career, it's not hard to imagine that he'll soon be driving in the NHRA's top level.
"My first year, I just wanted to win a round," Massey said. "I've worked on different cars all my life, and to have this much success so soon, it almost feels like beginner's luck."
He won driver and rookie of the year in 2006, his first full year as a racer, and finished third nationally in points. Midway through this season, he leads the point standings with a victory in Georgia and an All-Star title to his credit.
The top drivers from the seven divisions met in June for the All-Star race in Illinois. After the dust settled, Massey emerged as the winner.
Massey grew up around the local tracks, spending time at the Cowtown Speedway when he was 2. He began working on cars around 7, and knew long before high school that he wanted to become a driver.
Now that he's a drag racer, Massey is also the point man on any tweaks and repairs, especially on the transmission.
"There's not too much to driving a dragster," Massey said. "You just got to be ready for everything and have good reaction time. The driving kind of comes naturally, because if you think about anything after the start, then it's already over. Winning all comes in fine-tuning thousands of components on the dragster."
Massey's dragster, which is owned by former racer Gene Snow, won't run again until August in Minnesota. With seven more races to run in his second season, Massey said the thrill hasn't worn off of driving at top speeds.
"If you're going in the top fuel dragsters, you're pushing over 300 mph," Massey said. "Mine goes about 270, and you get used to it. I tell people it's a little like when you're going 100 on the highway. You feel like you're a little out of control, but you're still in control."
About Top Alcohol Dragsters
Specs: Similar to Top Fuel Dragsters, weighing over 2,000 pounds with a wheelbase of 180 to 300 inches.
Fuel: Most burn methanol.
Speed: Can cover a quarter-mile in 5.2 seconds, reaching over 270 mph
June 27, 2007 11:40 AM | send page | Press Releases