Lucas Oil/MAVTV driver Morgan fights through adversity during Atlanta qualifying

ATLANTA, GA – A weird start to the weekend for Lucas Oil/MAVTV Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan wasn’t enough to slow him down after qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals concluded at Atlanta Dragway.

As Morgan approached the starting line to make his Q1 pass, officials alerted him that he would be unable to run due to liquid in the water box that they thought was dripping from Morgan’s Mustang. However, it was later discovered that the leak was from another competitor, not Morgan.

Because of the confusion, he ended up losing his essential first run down Atlanta Dragway but managed to recover later on.

“We’ve just been behind from the beginning of Friday when we didn’t get to make that initial qualifying run,” Morgan said. “That really is what got us in trouble. Q3 the car shook and Q4 I just chased air.

“Unfortunately, we burned up the clutch in Q4. I just completely missed it though. I really thought that my last qualifying run was a good one though because it never got below 10,000 rpm.”

Despite fighting a few circumstances, the Lucas Oil/MAVTV Ford Mustang posted a 6.576 pass at 210.93 mph, good enough for the No. 13 position. When Morgan rolls up to the starting line Sunday for round one, he will see No. 4 Jason Line lining up alongside him.

“We may have missed the clutch and gear ratio but I know we will be alright for Sunday. It doesn’t matter who we run against, it’s all going to work out.

“It’s not that I don’t have enough power; I just have to get everything in line on the car.”

Morgan will look to overcome his initial struggles in Atlanta by winning rounds when final eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. ESPN2 will carry elimination action on tape delay at 9 p.m., Sunday.