Massey, Prestone team ready to give it all they've got during Traxxas Shootout, U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis

When Spencer Massey straps in his 8,000-horsepower Prestone/FRAM Top Fuel dragster he always gives it 100 percent. 

 

But Massey thinks 100 percent won't be enough when it comes to the most prestigious race on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour. This year, the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis is even bigger with the addition of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout on Saturday when Massey will be one of eight drivers trying to win $100,000.

"Obviously it's a huge weekend for a number of reasons," Massey said. "We've got the Traxxas Shootout and it's the U.S. Nationals. The shootout field is extremely tough. So the Traxxas Shootout field is the best of the best. It's going to be anyone's game."

Massey thinks crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler have the right plan when it comes to the race within a race.

"We tested last week (at Indy) and were trying to get data and get ahead of the game. Everything went great during testing. Todd is extremely happy. Whenever he's saying that he's pleased that means he's learned a lot and he's happy with how the car is running.

"We're going to go out the for the Shootout and basically take all of our great performances from all year long and bottle it into three runs in a row so we can get that $100,000."

But more important to Massey than the money is to earn an NHRA Wally trophy for winning the most prestigious title of the year.

"Come Monday (for eliminations) it's game on. We want to win the U.S. Nationals. That's our main concern. I've never done it before. I've never even been to a final round there. We need to go rounds, get points and get that win."

With a season's worth of momentum behind the team, including four wins in six final-round appearances, they will be giving all they can when the race known as "The Big Go" kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday with the first qualifying session.

"This is what it's all about," he said. "All year long we've been running well. We've set track records, we've set speed records. This is for all the marbles. We're putting everything into it. Our Prestone/FRAM guys are putting in 125 percent; we're going for it."