NHRA Story » Massey at home at DSR headquarters and in the winner’s circle

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Massey at home at DSR headquarters and in the winner’s circle

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Spencer Massey remembers a little more than a year ago when he walked into the sprawling Don Schumacher Racing headquarters. He was a little in awe of the 120,000-square-foot shop, home of the biggest team in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing. He was like a kid at a new school on his first day.

The 29-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, would have been excited to be walking into any shop as a Top Fuel dragster driver after spending the 2010 season mostly on the shelf, one season removed from winning two Top Fuel titles and the NHRA's top rookie honor. He signed to join DSR in December 2010 and has only gained speed since.

"I was just happy to be out there again, let alone on such a great team," he said of DSR and co-crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler.

"Everybody expected us to do well," said Massey, and he and the FRAM/Prestone team didn't disappoint. Last year, they won four times and finished second in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel standings.

Turn the clock forward to January 2012, and Massey is like a kid in a candy store after completing a season driving the FRAM/Prestone Top Fueler to four wins before being edged out by now-retired Del Worsham for the Top Fuel championship.

Today, he hangs out with teammates as if he's known them for years. His near constant smile, outgoing personality, and ability to do mechanical work on a 300-mph dragster nearly as well as he can drive one has helped teammates treat him like an old buddy.

"A year ago, I was new to the team and didn't really know anyone. Now it's like I've always been part of the family," he said before heading south to testing in Florida this week.

"We're coming off a great year and don't plan on changing anything. We're treating this season like we never had an off-season and want to just pick up like last year never ended."

Except for moving up one spot in the final standings.

The 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season kicks off Feb. 9-12 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona with the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries. Click here to get your tickets.

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