New season brings new hopes for Larry Morgan in Pomona

As the sun set over Auto Club Raceway on Saturday, Larry Morgan and the Lucas Oil/MAVTV Ford Mustang team continued to look for speed to use at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals.

Clutch issues tried to spoil the initial excitement of Morgan's 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opener in Pomona. With determination, however, the Lucas Oil/MAVTV Ford team pulled it together and rallied in the late going.

Vieri Gaines and Larry Morgan

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

Morgan's best lap of 6.589 seconds at 209.75 mph landed him in the No. 15 position. He will face off against No. 2 qualifier Allen Johnson, who had a best pass of 6.512 at 212.96 mph, in the first round of Sunday's eliminations. Though not an ideal matchup, Morgan isn't feeling defeated about his chances going into eliminations.

"I came here to win, and that's why I am here week in and week out," Morgan said. "I go into every round thinking that we have a chance to move on no matter the qualifying spot or who we are up against. I've beat them all before, and I'd love to do it again."

Mechanical issues won't keep Morgan down about his chances. The Pro Stock season is here, and he couldn't be happier to be on the track.

"I'm just glad the season has started already," Morgan said. "The 2013 season didn't end on the high note we really wanted and expected. I just hope to do well not only in Pomona but for the rest of the season. That's the plan."

Lucas Oil