Back in action, Lucas primes himself for a Pomona Wally

POMONA, CA – Continuing his role of spoiler, Morgan Lucas returns to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit looking to pilot his Lucas Oil/GEICO Top Fuel dragster to a win at this weekend’s 50th annual NHRA Finals.

With an impressive victory in Brainerd, Minn., and two semifinal finishes in just six appearances this season, Lucas knows his team’s performance this weekend could have a huge impact on their future endeavors.

“With the situation this team is currently in as far as future sponsorship,” Lucas said, “you sometimes stop and think that this may be your last race, at least for a while. That places an emphasis on giving it your all and trying everything you can to go out on top. You want to make an impression.

“We’ve got this part-time group that has performed so well in the half-dozen races we’ve competed at, including a huge win in Brainerd that no one expected, and I’m really proud of them. I think we proved beyond a doubt that we can win. We have the personnel and the experience to step up, even in a part-time effort.”

While the season finale in Pomona could hold the key to Lucas’ racing future, it also has sentimental meaning to him and his family.

“Pomona is a bit of a home track to me having grown up in So-Cal,” Lucas said. “Indy is home now and we love it there, but California is where I fell in love with the sport and where I first found the desire to race.

“Lucas Oil also has a big facility down in Corona, so I know a lot of employees will be joining us at the track. It’s going to be a great weekend; even better if we win.”

Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. PT, Friday and Saturday. Eliminations will start at approximately 11 a.m., Sunday, with both qualifying and elimination action broadcast on ESPN2 on tape-delay basis.