Las Vegas October 29, 2014 - The three weeks away from the racetrack were put to good use by Larry Morgan and his Lucas Oil Ford Mustang Pro Stock team.
Instead of simply getting ready for the next race, this weekend's NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Morgan and his team spent time they usually don't get during the season on a little research and development.
"The break was good for us," Morgan said. "The break was good for everybody."
Morgan's Mustang was examined and re-examined, with small details the focus instead of a simple car tune-up.
"We fixed a lot of things that were wrong with the car that we had overlooked," Morgan said. "We've just been preparing for the last two races. We're looking forward to it, to be honest with you. It's all good."
Morgan missed the Countdown to the Championship, but he's not using the six-race playoffs to prepare for 2015. His plans for next season are yet to be announced, though the rumor mill has churned out plenty on the veteran driver. He likely won't return to Ford for 2015, but beyond that, his plans are in transition.
"We're not looking that far ahead," Morgan said. "It'll be totally different than what I'm doing now. You never what I'm going to do. I may run Pro Mod and Pro Stock. You never know about me.
"But whatever it may be, I'm going to have fun doing it."
Morgan certainly has had fun in Las Vegas in the past, as The Strip is the site of his most recent victory. In the second Vegas race of 2009, Morgan beat Rickie Jones -- current co-crew chief for Erica Enders-Stevens -- in the final round for his 10th career win.
"I remember that Forrest and Charlotte (Lucas) were there and that was good," Morgan said of the Lucas Oil founders. "I hope we made them happy. It was a good weekend for everybody. It was the next-to-last race I ran with a Dodge.
"Winning was good and I was glad to do that. I miss winning and I'm going to try and figure out how I can do that again."
Pro Stock qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. ESPN2 will carry all qualifying and elimination action.
