SPENCER MASSEY HEADS TO CHARLOTTE

ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT 4-WIDE RACE

Despite missing last year’s race, and virtually the entire 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series campaign, Spencer Massey, driver of the FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel dragster, does not believe the configuration of this weekend’s 2nd annual VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA 4-Wide Nationals poses any unique problems for him.

“It’s a different situation, but not really” explained the 28-year-old Fort Worth native about lining up against three – not one – other cars at the start line.  “You have to pay attention to the Christmas tree, when all four – instead of the two – sets of stage lights are lit, you go.”

And in his lone four-wide experience, an exhibition Top Fuel run prior to the finals in a 2009 race at zMAX Dragway, Massey beat Antron Brown, Brandon Bernstein and Morgan Lucas at the tree and to the finish line.

“You just get up to the start line like normal. Pre-stage, stage and GO!” he said.

Normal for Massey generally means being the first car away from the start line, which he has been in five of the seven rounds he has run this season (bettered only by his Don Schumacher Racing teammates Brown, 8-1, and Tony Schumacher, 6-2).

His two reaction-time losses came in the season’s last race at Las Vegas. Massey won his first-round match against Shawn Langdon, but lost to Del Worsham on a hole-shot.

“My FRAM/Prestone crew gave me a great car in the second round in Vegas,” he said.  “I wish I could have done better. I had a good light (.057), but Del’s was better. I like to be number one [on the tree], even if it means turning a .025 to be number one.

“But I can’t dwell on what happened; I just have to keep doing the things I’ve been doing and for the team to as well.”

The FRAM/Prestone team spent the Monday after the race on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway testing.

“We made four solid runs, some adjustments and are ready for this week’s race in Charlotte,” he said. “Besides, this team has won this race before and set track records for speed and elapsed time; it knows and understands zMAX.”

Massey comes to North Carolina holding fifth place in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel championship competition. His 191 points puts him 74 behind Worsham, who leads all drivers after three races.