Spencer Massey reaches quarterfinals of Las Vegas race

April 03

Spencer Massey today suffered second-round loss to Top Fuel points leader Del Worsham in the 12^th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals here at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The Prestone/FRAM Top Fuel dragster driver, acknowledged as one of the best “leavers” in the Top Fuel category, suffered an uncharacteristic hole-shot loss.

He recorded a.057 reaction time, quick for the category, but not quite enough to overcome Worsham’s .034 r/t, despite Massey’s 3.926-second/313.44-mile-per-hour advantage against a 3.941/309.42 pass by Worsham.

“This one’s on me,” said a disconsolate Massey, who opened by outrunning fellow fast-starter Shawn Langdon in the first round. Langdon oiled the track and, according to NHRA rules, did not record an official time. Massey turned in a solid 3.914/312.54 lap in the effort.

Although Prestone/Fram crew members were reassuring Massey after the race for a good performance all weekend, he refused to blame anyone but himself, and was especially disappointed as he has a reputation for being first out of the gate.

 “We will be here testing tomorrow, and while the crew will be trying different setups, I will be practicing my starts,” said the 28-year-old Fort Worth native. “We still have 19 races to go, and driver and crew both have to be at their best for us to be on top.”

Massey’s quarterfinal finish today enabled him to jump into fifth place in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel championship competition. He has 191 points, 17 behind Larry Dixon in fourth place and 74 behind Worsham.

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to action April 14-17 for the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, N.C.