As a rookie that year Massey produced an unheard of four victories and five final round appearances on his way to winning the '08 IHRA Top Fuel championship all after earning his license just one week prior to the start of the season.
Now, two years after that incredible run Massey, who has since added an NHRA Rookie of the Year award to his resume last season, returns to the track where his career took off at Rockingham Dragway for the annual Spring Nitro Jam May 1 -2 at "The Rock."
"We had a lot of good times and accomplished a lot at Rockingham Dragway so I am really looking forward to going back there," Massey said. "It is a great track with a lot of history behind it and it means a lot for a driver to do well there. It is a special event for the drivers and for the fans and I can't wait to get out there and compete again."
Massey claimed his very first quarter-mile victory at Rockingham Dragway at the Spring Nitro Jam two years ago and went on to claim the '08 championship at the legendary North Carolina
"It was special winning our first quarter-mile race at Rockingham. And then to turn around and clinch the championship at the World Finals later that year was amazing," Massey said. "There have been so many memorable races and incredible drivers who have raced at the track. I am honored to be among those who have added their name to the Rockingham history books."
After a one year stint with the NHRA where Massey collected two victories, a top-five points finish and Rookie of the Year honors, Massey returned to Nitro Jam competition at the beginning of this year driving the second car in the Mitch King Motorsports stable. Massey is paired with 2 09 IHRA Top Fuel champion Del Cox Jr. who surpassed his friend and teammate with five victories and a championship last year – also as a rookie.
Just like Massey, Cox claimed his very first quarter-mile victory at the Spring Nitro Jam last season as the Mitch King duo tries to make it three-in-a-row next month.
"The Mitch King team has done very well at Rockingham Dragway. This team has won the spring race and clinched the championship at the track two years in a row," Massey said. "I look forward to seeing what we can do again this year with the new format."
The new Nitro Jam format replaces traditional qualifying and eliminations with a two-night race-only format that crowns a different winner at the conclusion of each night. Drivers compete in two rounds with the two quickest winning elapsed times from round one determining the championship pairing later in the evening.
Through two events surprise points leader Bobby Lagana Jr. sits on top of the standings with two victories and an incredible 6 -2 round win-loss record. Lagana, the only non-champion among the foursome, has stunned the field with consistent laps and some of the best passes of his career.
In second is Bruce Litton, driver of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist machine. Mitch King Motorsports teammates Cox and Massey round out the Top Fuel standings entering the Spring Nitro Jam at "The Rock" May 1 -2 .
"It is a great place to race and a great place to watch a race. I look forward to competing in front of the huge crowds and putting on another great show for the fans," Massey said. "It should be a good one."
