Gateway a familiar spot for Lucas Oil Pro Stocker Morgan

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 27) - Not many racers have seen the Gateway Motor Sports Park racing surface in the last couple of years, but Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan, who pilots the Lucas Oil Ford Mustang, is one the handful of people who have.

This weekend's AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals marks the first time since 2010 that the NHRA Full Throttle Series has raced in the Gateway City. Earlier this season, Morgan tested at the track.

Larry Morgan

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

Morgan is currently in eighth place in the Pro Stock standings, and is within striking distance of sixth. He's 34 points behind Mike Edwards for that sixth spot. The veteran engine builder/driver has been a tough out on race day in the first round; getting five holeshot wins this season as the lower-seeded driver.

After a long, hot summer, Morgan said he's looking forward to the cooler conditions expected this weekend.

"I'm looking forward to it," Morgan said. "The air is starting to get good everywhere and it's going to make my stuff run a whole lot better. The better weather should help us qualify better, which helps on race day too."

Morgan was runner-up at St. Louis in 2006, when the race was run during the spring.

"This track can be fast," Morgan said. "I think everybody is going to be on edge a little with the first couple of passes on a pretty green track. We'll all be in the same boat and I know we're going to come out swinging."

Source: Lucas Oil Racing