All-Stars TAD preview

Defending champ Massey among Allstar favorites

JOLIET, Ill. (May 29) – Current NHRA points leader Spencer Massey will be among the favorites to capture the Top Alcohol Dragster title when the 24th annual JEGS Sportsman Allstars takes center stage during the Torco Race Fuels Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., June 7. Massey, of Ft. Worth, Texas, returns to the JEGS Allstars race as a blocker after defeating Marty Thacker in one of the most memorable final rounds of 2007. After an even start, Massey edged Thacker at the finish line by nine-thousandths of a second.

The JEGS Allstars is a special event for competitors in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Each year, the best racers in eight categories from each of NHRA’s seven geographic regions meet in Joliet to compete for individual and team honors and a share of more than $100,000 in posted awards.

Thus far in 2008, Massey has reached the final round four times in six starts, including a win at the recent NHRA national event at Atlanta Dragway. Massey has also logged some runs in a Top Fuel dragster, collecting two wins at IHRA events.

Thacker, of Robinson, Ill., appears poised to extract a measure of revenge following last year’s narrow defeat. Thacker’s record in Allstars competition is impressive as he’s appeared in four final rounds, and captured titles in 2002 and 2006. He is also off to a fast start in 2008, visiting the winner’s circle at the recent Division 3 Lucas Oil Series event at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

The only other driver to return from last year’s team is Richard Putz, of Earlville, Iowa, who will again represent Division 5. Putz has raced just once this season, but made the most of it by reaching the final round of the West Central Division event in Great Bend, Kan.

The remainder of the JEGS Allstars Top Alcohol Dragster field includes Artie Allen (Division 2), Brandon Pierce (Division 4), Thomas Bayer (Division 6) and Cody Perkins (Division 7). The Top Alcohol Dragster champion will receive $7,000 and the team that wins the overall team championship will spilt a $20,000 bonus. In addition, any racer who can win the JEGS Allstars title on Saturday will have a chance to claim the JEGS double-up bonus by winning the Torco Race Fuels Route 66 Nationals the following day.

Information regarding JEGS Mail Order can be found at www.jegs.com and for media/fan resources check out www.teamjegs.com.

Media Contact:

Scott "Woody" Woodruff

JEGS, Director of Media & Motorsports

Office: 800.345.4545 (3.412)

Mobile: 614.595.1820

Fax: 740.362.4385

Email: jegspr@aol.com -or- scott.woodruff@jegs.com