INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 26) - Lucas Oil/GEICO Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas could not have picked a better time to be hot than right now.
Lucas scored a victory at the most recent NHRA race, the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals two weeks ago in Brainerd, Minn. That gives him momentum heading to the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
"It definitely helps to go into the biggest race of the year with a win under your belt," Lucas said. "But it's Indy; everybody's a little cutthroat for this event. It gets real serious real fast."
Lucas was the lone professional winner in Brainerd after daylong rain postponed the finals for the other two pro classes. Racing in his third event of the season, Lucas had a stellar day, capped by a thrilling victory over Doug Kalitta in the final round.
The win was a pedalfest that concluded with Lucas exploding the engine at the finish line. The same car will be run in Indianapolis.
"It's a case of if it's not broke, don't fix it," Lucas said. "Well in our case we did break some stuff at Brainerd, so we've got to fix it."
Lucas is racing a part-time schedule this year, stepping back from NHRA racing to focus on Lucas Oil Products and his growing family, but he made sure Indy was on his schedule simply because it's the biggest race of the season.
"It's really special for me because I've been coming to this race since 1996 with my father and I haven't missed one since," Lucas said. "It's special for everybody because this is where the greats have won. The people who have really built the sport have built this race. It's the same facility and a lot of the same fans show up. This is the true quality, the essence of drag racing. It's about the memory that you create in being a part of something this big."
Lucas will certainly create memories this weekend because his son Hunter, born in December, will attend his first drag race.
"It's exciting because (wife) Katie and Hunter finally get to come to a race," Lucas said. "The little guy will see his first Top Fuel experience in person."
More memories will be created, too, during the Eric Medlen Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday at Eagle Creek Golf Club. The sixth-annual tournament benefits the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent.
"My wife Katie has spent a lot of time working with the people in our office in putting all the things together for this tournament," Lucas said. "It's going to be the biggest tournament we've ever had. At the end of the day, you're doing it to make money for the children's hospital, and that's pretty darn cool. When you think about the fact that you get to have fun and help people, it's just special.
"Every time I get to see my son and know what my wife does to help out, it all comes together. We've been fortunate in life, so it's nice to be able help people who aren't in the same situation."
