Spencer Massey, the 2008 IHRA Top Fuel champion who left the IHRA tour to drive for the iconic Don “Snake” Prudhomme, will return to racing this weekend at the IHRA’s Nitro Jam event in Jupiter, Fla.

Massey will be one of three IHRA Top Fuel champions competing at this event.  

“Mitch (King) called me and we discussed it and here I am,” Massey said. “It has been an interesting ride over the past few years, but I am glad to be here this weekend,” said Massey. “I am glad to be back with IHRA. I am here to have fun, put on a good show for the fans and give these guys all that I’ve got.

Spencer Massey, the 2008 IHRA Top Fuel champion who left the IHRA tour to drive for the iconic Don “Snake” Prudhomme, will return to racing this weekend at the IHRA’s Nitro Jam event in Jupiter, Fla.

Massey will be one of three IHRA Top Fuel champions competing at this event.  

“Mitch (King) called me and we discussed it and here I am,” Massey said. “It has been an interesting ride over the past few years, but I am glad to be here this weekend,” said Massey. “I am glad to be back with IHRA. I am here to have fun, put on a good show for the fans and give these guys all that I’ve got.

Massey returns to the IHRA after a one year stint with the NHRA. In 2009 Massey was named the NHRA Rookie of the Year with two wins and a sixth place finish in the final standings one year removed from claiming the 2008 IHRA Top Fuel title. Prudhomme parked the team when he was unable to procure major sponsorship.

Before turning his attention to the NHRA Massey claimed four victories in 10 events in 2008 on his way to claiming the IHRA crown.

Upon his exit from IHRA racing Massey’s good friend Del Cox Jr. was tapped to fill his seat in the Mitch King Motorsports backed ride and picked right up where Massey left off. In 2009 Cox won half of the races – five total including four straight over the second half of the season – on his way to claiming the Top Fuel title giving owner Mitch King two consecutive IHRA championships.

Overall Mitch King’s dragsters have won nine of the last 20 IHRA national events.

King was originally slated to drive the second car this weekend at PBIR, but when King got word that Massey was flying to Florida with his racing suit in tow King stepped aside.

“Between Del and Spencer we have been nearly unbeatable over the past two years and to have both of them here this weekend competing it should make for one incredible event,” said King.

And the man both Cox and Massey beat out to clinch their titles – 2007 Top Fuel champ Bruce Litton.

After winning the title in 2007 Litton has finished as runner-up the past two seasons despite impressive performances both years. Last season Litton held the points lead through a majority of the season before Cox came storming back to take the title.

While Cox and Massey have proven themselves as the hottest drivers over the past two seasons, Litton has the proven one of the greatest drivers in IHRA history with 16 career victories and 48 final round appearances. Litton is in the top five all-time in both categories.

Advertisement