Words compiled from team press releases by Kay Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis

A pair of Mopar cars paid a visit to the final round at the 32nd Annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, as Mopar Dodge Avenger Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson advanced to his fifth straight final at Denver and Matt Hagan also scored a runner-up finish in his Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car at Bandimere Speedway. Both drivers uncharacteristically turned on the red light in their final-round appearances, leaving their Mopar sponsors with a case of the oh-so-close blues.

TOP FUEL

Spencer Massey (lead photo) drove the FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel dragster into victory circle July 24th by defeating Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tony Schumacher in a close pedal-fest final round.

The 28-year-old Fort Worth native took home his third Wally of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season and solidified his hold on second place in the Top Fuel championship standings.
It was the third time this season (against one loss) and the sixth time in his two-season career (against two losses) Massey has defeated the seven-time world champion.

“Beating someone like “The Sarge” is obviously very big,” he said. “He’s Tony Schumacher, “The Sarge,” the man – as the saying goes, to be the best, you have to beat the best. I’m not there yet; I have a long way to go, but these are the kind of wins you have to have to get to the top of the pack. And I don’t do anything differently whether I’m driving against Tony Schumacher or Larry Dixon or any other Top Fuel driver. I just get in my race car and do my job – get a good light, then stab the throttle and steer.”