Pro Stock star Larry Morgan ready to strut his stuff in sponsor FireAde’s backyard

ATLANTA – FireAde Racing Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan is poised for a big weekend at the 35th annual Summit NHRA Spring Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

The class veteran has been one of the fastest drivers in Pro Stock in 2015, winning at Charlotte and solidifying himself as a top contender through the first six races. He’s already poised to have one of his best seasons ever.

The former Atlanta winner, though, has even more incentive this weekend, as Georgia is home to Fire Service Plus, Morgan’s marketing partner for 2015. The company is based in Fayetteville, Ga., about 90 miles from Atlanta Dragway.

“I’m looking forward to this race,” Morgan said. “I think it’s going to be good for FireAde, because all the people who work there can go and see what we’ve got going on. FireAde has had a pretty good year, both with us on the track and with the business itself, and we hope to celebrate that in Atlanta.”

Morgan partnered with FireAde for the 2015 season, giving Larry Morgan Racing the resources to sign a deal with Gray Motorsports to provide engines and technical support for his new Chevrolet Camaro. The veteran then broke a long winless streak by claiming the trophy at the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, and he’s already won more rounds in the first quarter of the year than in all of 2014.

“Oh, I’m the luckiest guy in drag racing, I’ll tell you,” Morgan said. “Between FireAde and Johnny Gray and my wife Diane and my son Nick and all the good people who work on our race team, I’m really blessed.

“Hey, we’ve had a great season so far, but we’re not at all satisfied. We’ll keep working hard and hopefully get a few more wins this year.”

The next one could come in Atlanta, where he won in 1990 and went to the final round in 2004.

“I just hope the weather cooperates,” Morgan said. “That’s a key deal in Atlanta, always has been. I’m not sure it’s going to happen, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed. No one wants to endure a wet weekend, but it is what it is. Nothing we can do about that because last time I checked we can’t control the weather.

“There’s only one thing I hope I can control real well this weekend, and that’s the car and the dummy behind the wheel.”

Qualifying rounds will take place at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m., Friday, and 12:45 and 2:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. ESPN2 will carry all the action.