Jupiter PBIR: Series spotlight - Spence Massey

Former Top Fuel champ Spencer Massey returns to IHRA at Palm Beach International; Palm Beach fans gear up for Battle of 300-mph Champions

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.(January 28, 2010) -- Who is the best driver in Top Fuel racing today?

Find out this weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway.

With two of the last three IHRA Top Fuel World Champions already on hand for the inaugural Palm Beach Nitro Jam this weekend at PBIR a third champion -- 2008 Top Fuel champ Spencer Massey -- decided to join the mix on Wednesday giving race fans in south Florida a rare opportunity to see the last three IHRA world champions all in one place competing for the title of Top Fuel's top dog.

"Mitch (King) called me and we discussed it and here I am. 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 quarter-miles of the IHRA -- the only quarter-mile nitro sanctioning body in the country -- 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.

Before turning his attention to the NHRA Massey claimed four victories in 10 events in 2008 on his way to claiming the 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 to set up one of the biggest races in IHRA history.

"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.

The final piece to the Top Fuel puzzle is veteran racer Bobby Lagana Jr. While Lagana has never clinched a title in his decade long IHRA career, he has produced 12 career final rounds and four victories with a career best third place championship finish coming in 2006.

Despite having never won a title Lagana has to be considered a major threat to break up the party of the trio of champions.

"We may not have the championships, but we have always been competitive and I think we can really make some noise here this weekend. This is a great facility and I think we should be able to put up some big numbers and hopefully come away with the win," said Lagana.

Can Cox and Massey keep their hot streaks going? Can Litton finally get over the hump and take down the two young superstars? Can Lagana pull off one of the greatest upsets in drag racing history?

Find out this weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway.

-source: ihra