LUCAS TAKES TOYOTA TO NHRA WINNER’S CIRCLE IN CHARLOTTE

Concord, NC – Toyota driver Morgan Lucas completed a dominating weekend by defeating Spencer Massey in the final to win the NHRA Carlyle Tools Carolina Nationals at the zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday.

After being the overall top qualifier in leading two of the four qualifying sessions, Lucas was equally impressive on Sunday.   He ran the low ET in three of Sunday’s four elimination rounds as he registered three of the five 3.7-second passes run on the day.

“The team put a great car underneath me,” said Lucas. “We are a team, and I am really, genuinely proud to be a part of it.  When Aaron (Brooks, crew chief) starts talking about doing some damage, the whole team gets behind him. He’s our General Patton.”

Lucas, debuting a brand new dragster, defeated Terry McMillen, teammate Brandon Bernstein and Doug Kalitta on the way to the final before beating Massey for his second win of the season.  With the victory, he moved into third place in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ Countdown to the Championship playoff standings.

Bernstein was the only other Toyota Top Fuel driver to advance past the first round with his victory over David Grubnic.   Al-Anabi teammates Shawn Langdon and Khalid alBalooshi, who qualified third and fourth, were each upset in the opening round.  Reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown did not qualify for Sunday’s eliminations.

In Funny Car, brothers Cruz and Tony Pedregon each advanced to the second round.  Alexis DeJoria, Del Worsham and Chad Head all were defeated in their opening run of the day.

The Countdown to the Championship playoffs continue next weekend at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Tex.