1989 U.S. Nationals was a career highlight for FireAde driver Larry Morgan

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – FireAde Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan has 11 victories in his NHRA Pro Stock career, which dates to 1987, but a win in 1989 capped a sensational two-week period and remains one his career highlights.

Morgan, who will break the 600-race barrier at the Toyota NHRA Summernationals this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, was still in the early days of his career in 1989. On Aug. 17 of that year, wife Diane gave birth to their first child, a son named Nick. A week later, Morgan won his first Pro Stock race, an IHRA event in Norwalk, Ohio.

Then Morgan went to Indianapolis with his Bob Panella-owned car to race in the Pro Stock Challenge and the U.S. Nationals.

“Panella is one of those guys who has a different Rolex every time you see him,” Morgan said. “He had this gold Rolex on, and I said, ‘Boy, I’d like to have one of them.’ He said, ‘You win that Shootout, I’ll buy you one.’ ”

Morgan ended up winning the Shootout and had visions of a $30,000 watch on his wrist.

“I was riding down the return road, and Diane said, ‘What are you going to do with that $50,000?’ ” Morgan said. “I said, ‘I’m more excited about the watch I won.’ ”

Panella, though, was waffling.

“I tell you what, you win that race tomorrow, and you’ll get a Rolex,” Panella told Morgan. “I won the race the next day, and when he came down to the winner’s circle, he stuck his hand around my wrist and said, ‘I need a measurement on that.’ ”

Morgan still lights up when he thinks about that race and the gifts that came before and after.

“That might’ve been my best win, other than the recent one I just had,” Morgan said. “That was pretty cool.”

There were other career highlights, of course, including a win in Super Stock in Baton Rouge, La., that marked the first time a Castrol-sponsored car won a national event.

“That was the first race Castrol ever won,” Morgan said. “(John) Force ended up winning 500 of them or whatever, but I got to win the first.”

Now, almost 600 professional races later, Morgan looks back on his long career with fondness.

“It does kind of scare me because I’m thinking, ‘How long can I go?’ ” Morgan said. “But it is quite an accomplishment for anybody who races. Being out here that long, I’ve only missed one race since 1984. They don’t count the Sportsman races in the 600, and I’m OK with that. I’m happy that I’ve won 18 national events so far.

“I’ve had a wonderful time racing, and I’m lucky enough to be out here that long. I enjoy the people and the fans, and NHRA has been awful good to me. Even the times I have to get on them, I still like going to the races.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: FireAde Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan will participate in his 600th career NHRA race this weekend at the Toyota NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

We bring you the second of three stories highlighting this accomplishment, on Morgan’s biggest career highlight.