CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 23, 2013) - Spencer Massey will have to start Sunday's NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway from the No. 16 spot, but that doesn't faze him.
By Massey's recollection, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series has always been a place where you can win from any starting spot, so he's just thrilled he has a chance.
The Battery Extender powered by Schumacher Top Fuel Dragster struggled in Friday's two sessions, unable to complete a 1,000-ft. pass with all of its 10,000 horsepower.
"Obviously we would've liked to put up a better qualifying effort," Massey said. "At least we made it in the show. We have a shot for that Wally. It doesn't matter where you start as long as you start and we're going to do that on Sunday."
On Saturday, Massey's best run was a 3.874-second lap at 292 mph, which kept him in the field when he was unable to improve during the final session of qualifying.
"This car wasn't performing like it typically does but we know what it takes to get it done on Sunday," he said. "We just have to go up there and run our race and try to win some rounds. I know it's still early in the season but we really want to turn on win lights and take home a Wally."
Massey has confidence in crew chief Phil Shuler and DSR's Director of Racing Todd Okuhara to get his dragster turned around for race day.
"We have a good baseline," Massey said. "We just kept missing it a little bit. Phil has gone over everything with Todd and they see the problems and know what to do to fix it. We'll be okay."
The following are Spencer Massey's qualifying results and other notes regarding the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
TOP FUEL
No. 1 qualifier: Doug Kalitta (Kalitta Motorsports) 3.733 sec., 329.02 mph (track records)
Spencer Massey, Battery Extender Powered by Schumacher dragster
Qualified: No. 16
Sunday's first-round opponent: Doug Kalitta
FRIDAY
Session 1: 4.034 sec., 222.22 mph
Session 2: 8.232, 74.04
SATURDAY
Session 3: 3.874, 292.84
Session 4: 3.938, 256.31
From: Jeff Wolf
More...
By Massey's recollection, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series has always been a place where you can win from any starting spot, so he's just thrilled he has a chance.
The Battery Extender powered by Schumacher Top Fuel Dragster struggled in Friday's two sessions, unable to complete a 1,000-ft. pass with all of its 10,000 horsepower.
"Obviously we would've liked to put up a better qualifying effort," Massey said. "At least we made it in the show. We have a shot for that Wally. It doesn't matter where you start as long as you start and we're going to do that on Sunday."
On Saturday, Massey's best run was a 3.874-second lap at 292 mph, which kept him in the field when he was unable to improve during the final session of qualifying.
"This car wasn't performing like it typically does but we know what it takes to get it done on Sunday," he said. "We just have to go up there and run our race and try to win some rounds. I know it's still early in the season but we really want to turn on win lights and take home a Wally."
Massey has confidence in crew chief Phil Shuler and DSR's Director of Racing Todd Okuhara to get his dragster turned around for race day.
"We have a good baseline," Massey said. "We just kept missing it a little bit. Phil has gone over everything with Todd and they see the problems and know what to do to fix it. We'll be okay."
The following are Spencer Massey's qualifying results and other notes regarding the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
TOP FUEL
No. 1 qualifier: Doug Kalitta (Kalitta Motorsports) 3.733 sec., 329.02 mph (track records)
Spencer Massey, Battery Extender Powered by Schumacher dragster
Qualified: No. 16
Sunday's first-round opponent: Doug Kalitta
FRIDAY
Session 1: 4.034 sec., 222.22 mph
Session 2: 8.232, 74.04
SATURDAY
Session 3: 3.874, 292.84
Session 4: 3.938, 256.31
From: Jeff Wolf
More...
