BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 12) - Lucas Oil Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan always wants to do well, but he has an extra-special reason to put in a good performance at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals this weekend at Brainerd Int'l Raceway.
Not only is his race team's partner the sponsor of this race, but Morgan also holds Lucas Oil co-founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas in the highest regard.
"If I never win another race in my career, I'd like to win this one, just for them," Morgan said. "I've done well up there before, but I'd like to win for Forrest and Charlotte. It'd be nice to win their race."
Morgan has raced to the final round in Brainerd twice in his long Pro Stock career, in 1990 and 1993. Both of those were before his association with Lucas, which started in 2007.
"He and I had been talking for a long time," Morgan said. "He said he wanted to help me, and we just put a deal together."
Lucas Oil has been on Morgan's cars ever since, and Morgan values their relationship just as much as he did when it started.
"They're just great people," Morgan said. "The sport couldn't survive without Lucas Oil. They're so good for the sanctioning body and all motorsports. They're wonderful people.
"I appreciate what he does for me. He's a good guy, and they're good people. I've never met anybody any better."
The Lucas family has a relationship with Brainerd Int'l Raceway, too, and it often includes trips to the famed Zoo campground just outside the track. Morgan would prefer to work on his Ford Mustang race car, but a visit to the Zoo could be in order.
"I'm not much of a Zoo guy," Morgan said, "but I may go to the Zoo and see all the craziness."
Pro Stock qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3 and 5:30 p.m., Friday, and 1 and 3:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. ESPN2 will carry all qualifying and elimination action.
