Spencer Massey reaches quarterfinals at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis

September 06

Spencer Massey today drove his Prestone/FRAM Top Fuel dragster into the quarterfinals of the 57th-annual U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil here, securing the third seed for the NHRA’s upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoff.

Massey, who qualified fourth for the U.S. Nationals, used a 3.852-second lap at 318.92 miles per hour to defeat Brady Kalivoda, 3.951 at 307.51 mph, in the first round of eliminations on the drag strip at the Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

This victory gave the Fort Worth native a second-round match with reigning champion Larry Dixon, who took the race with a 3.813-second pass at 322.27 mph against Massey’s 3.841 at 321.12 mph.

“I’m disappointed, I wanted to win this race,” said the 28-year-old Don Schumacher Racing driver. “Besides, I really hate losing to the Al Anabi cars. They’re a great team, but to be the best, you have to beat the best – and I think we are the best!

“That quarterfinal run was a great side-by-side drag race, but I guess we left a little on the table. We’ll learn from this experience and use it to get better.”

Next on the schedule is the September 15-18 fourth-annual NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway outside Charlotte, N.C., the first of the six races in the playoffs.  Massey enters the Countdown 30 points – less than two race-round wins – behind Top Fuel leader Del Worsham and 10 behind DSR teammate Antron Brown in second.

“We wanted to move around Antron and take second-place in the Countdown today,” he said. “But the difference between second and third is only 10 points. We’re in great shape to fight for the championship with the Countdown tightening up the points race.”