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Fifteen-Year-Old Mason Massey Fulfilling Destiny, Readies to Drive the Elliott No. 9 PLM

By Chuck Corder

What were you doing at the ripe old age of 4?

Mason Massey was winning races. And we’re not talking about on a PlayStation or Xbox. Real life, wheel-to-wheel action in a quarter midget.

Barely free from a onesie, Massey captured his first checkered flag in just his fifth race.

“It was awesome for me,� Massey said. “I’ve always loved racing. I just focused hard at it.�

How’s your self-esteem now, folks?

The 15 year old brings his steely-eyed determination Friday to Five Flags Speedway for the third Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series race of the season.

The PLMs share the oval stage with the Super Stocks, Sportsmen and Bombers when the gates open at 5 p.m. Friday.

Admission to the grandstands is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors; $12 Military/Students (12-17); $5 Children (6-11); Under 6 is Free. Passes to get into the pits are $25.

In the first PLM race in March, Massey ran up front for most of the race before finishing eighth in his inaugural appearance at Pensacola’s high banks.

“It was awesome, for sure; an awesome racetrack,� said Massey, who was unable to compete in the second PLM race after it was postponed because of rain. “It was a lotta fun. The caution flag came out late and we got hung out. I don’t know what happened, but I loved it down there for sure.�

And the legions of Five Flags fans are sure to grow to love Massey, as well. Not just because of his limitless potential, mind you.

They’ll love him for the car he drives. Massey will be inside the familiar No. 9 late model for Bill Elliott Racing.

Massey is just 14 months younger than racing wunderkind Chase Elliott. As much as they are peers and friends, Mason doesn’t hesitate to ask Chase for tips on getting around Five Flags.

Massey knows Elliott has the perfect recipe at America’s Favorite Home Track. Elliott has won his last three races at the famed half-mile, asphalt oval, including the prestigious Snowball Derby last December.

“Patience, honestly, is what he tells me,� said Massey of Elliott, who he talks to at least twice a week. “He’s extremely patient. He’s easy for the first half of it. After that, it all depends on where the racecar is. Hopefully, if you’re near the top five halfway through the race, you can attack and end up hopefully winning the race.�

Massey has a lot of experience in victories.

At every stage he has competed on, he has racked up carloads of wins and caught the eyes of racing enthusiasts — legendary blue-collar comedian Jeff Foxworthy thought so much of the young driver that Foxworthy put his name and sponsorship on the side of Mason’s car.

From 4 to 8, Massey tallied 40 quarter midget wins and set three track records.

Massey moved up to Bandoleros from 8 to 12 and he accumulated more than 100 trips to Victory Lane. Since jumping up to Legends a few years back, he has crossed the 60-win plateau, including 10 alone this season.

This is Massey’s first full season in a late model, but he already boasts three top-10 finishes, including a best of fourth in early March at South Alabama Speedway.

“Legends taught me a lot,� Massey credited. “They’re hard to drive. Late models, they’re a handful, too. I’ve learned a lot, but it’s all been a lotta fun.�

Mason Massey seems to have been predestined to race cars.

Dating back to his great uncle nearly 60 years ago, racing has spanned generations in his family.

Mason does admit he has the upper hand on his father, Mayes, when it comes to their hotshoe prowess.

“He tried one time. He wasn’t real good at it,� Mason joked.

Take it easy on your old man, young fellow.

Some of us weren’t victorious wheelmen when we were still toddlers and driving cars came only in our dreams.

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