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Altamahaw, NC (Mar 28, 2001) ….The Massey family is like awho's, who's of racing at Ace Speedway. In the 50'sand 60's brothers Frank and Bernice Massey were legends at the Alamance County oval. Bernice even went on to race in a higher level, winning a NASCAR Convertible event at Martinsville (VA) Speedway. Since the mid 1970's and continuing to the present Frank's oldest son, Todd Massey, has carried the family torch with three NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Car Titles at Ace Speedway and one at Myrtle Beach (SC) Speedway.

In less than two weeks, another racing Massey, Frank's youngest son, Mike Massey will be teaming with car owner Fred Hoy to take aim on the 2001 Ace Super Stock title.

Now, Mike Massey is no newcomer to the racing game. He's been a part of racing for over 30 years.

"Oh yea, I've been following daddy and Uncle Bernice to the race tracks ever since I could walk," commented Mike." In fact when I was 15 years old, me and Johnny Fogleman, the Ace flagman, built a race car. But since my brother Todd was a year and a half older than me, Daddy decided Todd should drive. Since then I've done everything on a race car, except drive one for the past 21 years. Now that God brought me Fred Hoy, it's my time to drive."

Mike will be driving the Dodge Avenger Super Stock car that Shannon Dowd drove to eight wins last year and the track's Super Stock Championship. Mike knows there a double dose of expectations for him. One being with a championship car owner Fred Hoy, and of course the added pressure of being a Massey. "I know at 36 years old I'm kind of old to be a rookie. But because I'm a Massey, everyone expects me to win a lot of races, that is everyone but Fred."

"I don't want him to feel that if he doesn't win a lot, I'll be disappointed," said Hoy, a retired schoolteacher who became a race car owner after retirement. "Mike and I plan to be together for two years, then we'll sit down and evaluate where we are.

You know it took Shannon a few years to become the dominant driver in the class. I am just happy that I am able to give Mike his chance to drive." And what does Mike's older brother Todd Massey feel about his brother getting behind the wheel? "I just think it's great," beamed Todd. "Both of us couldn't race if it wasn't for guys like Fred and my car owners, Eddie Talley and Allan Thoenen. He's going to be just fine, he just has to learn how to race against the other drivers. He's already knows the line around this track. It would be neat if we both could win on opening night!"

Todd's wish might come true when Ace Speedway opens its 2001 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series season on Friday night, April 6th. We just might have two Masseys in victory lane.