FireAde’s Larry Morgan ready to build playoff momentum in Brainerd

BRAINERD, MN – FireAde Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan knows the next two races on the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule are important, starting with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals this weekend at Brainerd International Raceway.

That’s because Brainerd and Indianapolis, the race after Brainerd, are the last two events before the Countdown to the Championship begins. The Countdown, the final six races of the season, determines the Pro Stock champion, and Morgan wants to win it.

“I really need to get my act together or it’s going to be a waste to even be in the Countdown,” Morgan said. “I’m going over the car, trying to get everything right that we can. We fixed the steering issues, we fixed everything, so I hope we’re good to go. I better be.”

Morgan is having his best season in years, winning twice and contending nearly every weekend, but after winning in Denver to start the three-race Western Swing, he ran into some mechanical issues in Sonoma and Seattle and bowed out in the first round at each.

However, after getting his Chevrolet Camaro back to the Larry Morgan Racing shops in Newark, Ohio, Morgan will have his FireAde car ready to go in Brainerd.

“It has been a really good year, but we aren’t done yet,” Morgan said. “It’s time to really get in gear and get going.”

That starts this weekend in Brainerd, which is also known for its party campground adjacent to the track, the Zoo. Morgan has raced to two final rounds there (1990 and 1993) but is still looking for his first victory.

“The Zoo is interesting,” Morgan said. “I don’t spend a whole lot of time there; maybe I’m getting too old for that kind of stuff? No, it’s still fun, but we don’t get a chance to go there much.

“As far as the racing goes, I’ve have done fairly well there. I’ve gotten runner-up before, but I’ve never won there. Maybe this will be the year to do that.”

Pro Stock qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3 and 5:30 p.m., Friday, and 1 and 3:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. ESPN2 will carry both qualifying and elimination action.