ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 1) - Only five out of 16 Pro Stock race cars managed to make it down Old Bridge Township Raceway Park under power in Sunday's opening round of elimination action, and unfortunately for Lucas Oil pro Larry Morgan, he was in the majority, losing with a wacky 9.916 at 101.76 mph to opponent and teammate Rodger Brogdon's slightly better but equally ugly 7.788 at 170.82 mph.
"They probably won't be showing that one on the highlight reel," Morgan said. "No matter the circumstances, we needed the win there and didn't get it. I'm sore about it but that won't fix anything. We just need to tighten up and stay after it.
"My continued thanks to Lucas Oil. Forrest and Charlotte Lucas are a Godsend for us and I desperately want to show my appreciation for their continued support, and the way we do that in drag racing is by turning on win lights. It didn't happen today but it damn sure wasn't because of our oil. That stuff is the best on the market."
Like many of the teams in action, both Morgan and Brogdon over estimated the grip of the racing surface and were on the edge of control just after dropping the clutch. Their race quickly turned into a battle of who could calm their 1,300-horsepower race cars down and get them moving again, and this time Brogdon was able to do that first. Once he saw Brogdon streaking away, Morgan knew his day was done.
"We have had issues with our computer throughout the weekend and had very little data to work with," Morgan said. "Using old-fashioned intuition, I suppose we looked at the track and did what everyone else did and thought it would hold a bunch more than it did. All the readings said it should have been better but it wasn't.
"As a driver, especially one that's been out here as long as we have, you'd like to think you can win these driver duels when a crazy round like this happens, but ol' Rodger has been around a long time also and he did a better job of gathering up his car. My hat's off to him but next time I'm gonna get him."
After racing three consecutive weekends, Morgan and crew will now have a chance to regroup before the 14th annual Ford Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals, which takes place June 13-15 in Bristol, Tenn.
