Although scooped by the drag racing rumor mills a day earlier, NHRA mega-team owner Don Schumacher made the unfortunate announcement on Friday during the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol that sponsor and marketing partner FRAM/Prestone and the LaVallee Marketing Series had informed the team they would not return for the 2013 season.
FRAM/Prestone began its partnership with the Schumacher-led team in 2007 with veteran Cory McClenathan at the wheel of the FRAM Top Fuel Dragster. In 2011, the FRAM/Prestone marketing team reportedly made the tough decision to replace McClenathan with up-and-coming star Spencer Massey — a decision that nearly culminated in a championship at years end. FRAM/Prestone was also involved for a number of years with Rhonda Hartman-Smith and her husband, John Smith, in their Top Fuel efforts prior to joining forces with DSR.
“We have enjoyed a successful relationship with FRAM/Prestone and would like nothing more than to send them off with the NHRA Top Fuel world championship this year,” said Don Schumacher, who owns DSR that fields seven professional race teams in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.”
Massey and the FRAM/Prestone dragster, tuned by crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler, are currently second in the Top Fuel points chase, just two rounds of racing behind teammate Tony Schumacher, who assumed Massey’s lead with his win Sunday in Bristol. Massey currently leads all winners this season in Top Fuel with three victories in the first 10 races.
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