Tue, 17 Feb 2009, 06:24 AM Massey, Hagan and Langdon bring High Level of Rookie Energy

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2009 Auto Imagery, Inc. To 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

The competition for the $20,000 Auto Club Road to the Future award, which recognizes the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series' best-performing rookie driver, promises to be as intense in 2009 as the battle for the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship in each pro category.

Though the official list of nominees won't be revealed until October when more than 100 of the nation's top motorsports journalists will vote to determine the winner, three drivers have generated an early-season buzz and staked an unofficial claim as the favorites to win the coveted award.

Matt Hagan, Shawn Langdon and Spencer Massey will enter the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in 2009 with nervous energy and high expectations as they begin their careers in the world's fastest motorsport, NHRA Championship Drag Racing.

All three drivers have solid credentials, having constructed their resumes with reputations for winning races and championships and being ultra-competitive in other racing arenas.

Spencer Massey

Native Texan Massey, who won the IHRA Top Fuel world championship last year and has won many races in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in the Top Alcohol Dragster category, will be driving the U.S. Smokeless dragster for NHRA legend Don "the Snake" Prudhomme. The car finished second in the Top Fuel points standings last year with crew chiefs Donnie Bender and Todd Smith calling the shots.

"As a rookie guy coming in, being with Don "the Snake" Prudhomme is something I've always dreamed of," said Massey, who also worked as a crew member for several nitro teams, including those of Morgan Lucas, Ashley Force Hood and Scott Palmer.

"I'm not the type of guy to say we're going to go out and win every race, but we'd love to try to. My goal is to get a Wally. And I want to get to the Countdown. This car is very capable of making a run for the championship at the end of the year. And I've just got to do my job and drive the car to the best of my ability. I know how to do it. And 'Snake' obviously has high expectations for me or he wouldn't be putting me in the race car. But I think I can handle it, and I'm ready for it."

Matt Hagan

Hagan, a Virginia gentleman and cattle rancher who has had much success in Pro Mod competition and shined in his NHRA Funny Car debut last year at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, is eager to begin the next chapter of his racing life as driver of the BrakeSafe Dodge Charger R/T for Don Schumacher Racing with crew chief Tommy DeLago.

"I'm really excited," Hagan said. "Being involved with a team such as DSR, which has so much knowledge, experience and great equipment, is going to be very rewarding. It's one of those opportunities that doesn't come around but once in a lifetime. I think that as a rookie driver sharing information with teams of the caliber that DSR has will help me improve my driving. Being able to use that equipment and having all the resources that DSR brings to the table will be great for my career."

Shawn Langdon

Two-time Super Comp champ Langdon, a native of Southern California, was named by Lucas to be the driver of his team's second car, the Lucas Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster, which John Stewart will tune. Langdon has competed in six other NHRA categories, including joining Massey as a graduate of NHRA's Jr. Drag Racing League.

"This is definitely an exciting time," Langdon said. "I've got lots of nervous energy right now. I know it's going to be a big step up, and I'm really lucky to have Morgan as my teammate because he'll be there to bounce things off of as I learn to drive these things. I can't thank the Lucas family enough for this opportunity. Their commitment to drag racing at all levels is second to none. I feel very lucky to have this chance."