O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals: GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster

O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals
Houston, Texas
(March 28-30)

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Morgan Lucas
GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster

Lucas to face Dixon in first round

Houston, Saturday: Morgan Lucas, driver of the Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, will race Larry Dixon in Sunday’s first round of eliminations at the Houston Raceway Park’s running of the 21^st annual O’Reilly Spring Nationals.

Lucas managed a run of 4.691 seconds, 300.60 mph to place his John Stewart-led Lucas Oil team into the No. 14 qualifying position.

“It’s always tough when you have to face the second hottest car on the circuit,” said a determined Lucas. “In all reality, they are all tough. It really doesn’t matter where you qualify; anyone can beat anybody because that’s the way it pans out. Who knows what the weather conditions will be for tomorrow, after all it’s Texas in the spring. If the weather comes around, we might have a better shot to get after it a little bit more. We need to build some good early wheel speed from the race car since that’s been our problem all weekend.

Lucas, who is currently in the No. 9 position in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel points standings after the completion of three of the series scheduled 24-events, still has his sights set on the championship, but is presently working through a difficult time this weekend after his teammate J.R. Todd failed to qualify for the race.

“My primary concern right now is to get to a point where neither car struggles,” Lucas said. “This is our first hot, tricky racetrack we’ve faced so far this year. We’re fortunate and started off with baby steps with our car and maybe that’s why we got in the race. We were one of the few cars that got down the track three out of four times and I’m happy about that. I got to give credit to John Stewart for handling all the pressure really well. We’re going to work this out and lighten up his load a lot, but it’s going to take some time. I promise everyone out there whoever is a fan of J.R. Todd or Morgan Lucas we will get this problem worked out. We’re going to turn this thing around and become competitive. Before it’s over, we’re going to give everyone a run for their money in the Countdown.”

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