<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/m_lucas06.jpg" alt="m_lucas06" align="left"borders="0"/>
As the 2006 NHRA POWERade season hits its home stretch reaching a conclusion in only five events means that Morgan Lucas is going to be a man on a mission. With such a limited number of races remaining, the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway is up next and Lucas is resolute in making the most of his 50th career start by gearing up for 2007 now.
"It's our way of making the move toward the future," said Lucas, who has five professional runner-up finishes. "We are making the adjustments to our dragster in preparation of getting a better idea of maximizing our combination giving us the consistency we've been looking for over the past few races."
Although Indy's performance didn't pan out in the race, the Morgan Lucas racing team's first three qualifying attempts were all in the 4.50s with a 4.54 being his best of the weekend.
"That just goes to show you how close we are to getting our car up to a constant, competitive level," he said. "Now we're heading to Maple Grove Raceway and it's our first taste of fall. With the cooler weather and a great track we're in for a great race and we want to be right in the middle of it all."
Lucas advanced to the semi-finals last year before being turned back in a one of the quickest and closest races of the year with Tony Schumacher. Lucas recorded a run of 4.538 seconds with Schumacher just out-distancing him with a time of 4.515 seconds.
"This year I think we can stand side-by-side and be competitive with anyone," said Lucas. "We need to the opportunity to prove our mettle because we know we're capable."
Lucas' Maple Grove Raceway statistics have him reaching the semi-finals last year with a first round defeat in 2004 out of his two previous appearances with his best qualifying effort being in the No. 4 position in 2005. The start of the Toyo Tires Nationals begins at Maple Grove Raceway on Friday, September 15 with qualifying starting at 3 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. Saturday's time trials start at 12 p.m. for the nitro classes followed by a second session at 3 p.m. The race starts promptly at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. www.morganlucas.com
Lucas Building Momentum
Fiftieth Professional Start at Maple Grove Raceway
As the 2006 NHRA POWERade season hits its home stretch reaching a conclusion in only five events means that Morgan Lucas is going to be a man on a mission. With such a limited number of races remaining, the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway is up next and Lucas is resolute in making the most of his 50th career start by gearing up for 2007 now.
"It's our way of making the move toward the future," said Lucas, who has five professional runner-up finishes. "We are making the adjustments to our dragster in preparation of getting a better idea of maximizing our combination giving us the consistency we've been looking for over the past few races."
Although Indy's performance didn't pan out in the race, the Morgan Lucas racing team's first three qualifying attempts were all in the 4.50s with a 4.54 being his best of the weekend.
"That just goes to show you how close we are to getting our car up to a constant, competitive level," he said. "Now we're heading to Maple Grove Raceway and it's our first taste of fall. With the cooler weather and a great track we're in for a great race and we want to be right in the middle of it all."
Lucas advanced to the semi-finals last year before being turned back in a one of the quickest and closest races of the year with Tony Schumacher. Lucas recorded a run of 4.538 seconds with Schumacher just out-distancing him with a time of 4.515 seconds.
"This year I think we can stand side-by-side and be competitive with anyone," said Lucas. "We need to the opportunity to prove our mettle because we know we're capable."
Lucas' Maple Grove Raceway statistics have him reaching the semi-finals last year with a first round defeat in 2004 out of his two previous appearances with his best qualifying effort being in the No. 4 position in 2005. The start of the Toyo Tires Nationals begins at Maple Grove Raceway on Friday, September 15 with qualifying starting at 3 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. Saturday's time trials start at 12 p.m. for the nitro classes followed by a second session at 3 p.m. The race starts promptly at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. www.morganlucas.com
