Bristol, Tennessee (June 20, 2015) - FireAde Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan knows the potential is there for a long day Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Morgan hasn't put together a great run in his Larry Morgan Racing Chevrolet in Bristol and qualified No. 12 with a pass of 6.686 at 206.634 mph, but he's only five-hundredths of a second away from the top cars in the ultra-competitive class.
"We know we haven't made the best run yet, so we know there's plenty left in the car," Morgan said. "If we can put it all together -- and I know we can -- we'll be right there. I just wish I didn't have to run A.J. again first round."
That would be Allen Johnson, who qualified No. 5 with a pass of 6.562 seconds at 206.80 mph. The two have raced each other at the last two events with Johnson getting to the second round each time.
"It's about damn time that changes," Morgan said. "I know this is A.J.'s hometown race and all, but I hope I have 25,000 Tennesseans mad at me tomorrow."
Johnson is from Greeneville, Tenn., about an hour away from Bristol Dragway. The events in Englishtown, N.J., and Epping, N.H., are the only two times the veteran drivers have faced each other this season.
Morgan has had a stellar season to date, winning in Charlotte and scoring eight round-wins en route to a seventh-place standing in Pro Stock points.
Bristol has been a bit of a struggle, as electrical issues cost Morgan in the first qualifying session (6.749 at 205.29 mph) and he had to shut off early in Q3 (14.404 at 58.22 mph). His other run, in Q4, was also 6.686 seconds, this one at 204.45 mph.
"It's been a strange weekend, but I know we can put it all together," Morgan said. "With all the support I have from FireAde, from Gray Motorsports, and all my guys, we'll be all right."
