TOP FUEL
The Top Fuel class had 11 entries with at least two racers that IHRA fans haven’t seen all that much of: Kevin Jones from Kentucky and Spencer Massey from Texas. Both of those drivers and 79-year-young Chris Karamesines qualified for the eight-car field that had a respectable bump spot of 3.27.
Karamesines is surely the oldest professional and competitive driver in the history of major league auto racing. Qualifying was led by defending 2007 champ Bruce Litton. Those that didn’t make the field included regulars like Doug Foley and Todd Payton. According to a couple of tuners we spoke with, the track was very tricky on Sunday compared to Saturday night and traction was at a premium.
In the first round Massey, with just six days as a licensed TF driver under his belt, lined up against defending IHRA Champ Litton and proceeded to strap a holeshot on the veteran driver, recording a .082 light to Litton’s .095. Massey needed the advantage as his Paul Smith-tuned fueler owned by Mitch King ran a 3.193 to Litton’s quicker but losing 3.187. Massey got to the stripe just .006 of second ahead of Litton.
That would be the rookie’s toughest race of the day and he eased by his competition the next round to meet veteran Terry McMillen in the final. McMillen broke a 50-cent part on the throttle assembly and could not throttle the car, giving Massey his first IHRA Iron Man.