Lucas races for Richmond victory

(10-7-08) Richmond, VA -- Morgan Lucas still has many reasons to win at this weekend’s Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park despite the verification, he’s not in the NHRA’s Playoff system -- the POWERade Countdown to 1. The primary reason is the reality he’s never won a NHRA pro event and a victory in the Old Dominion state would be phenomenal and finally end his 88-race winless streak.

“We’re definitely improving and moving ahead,” said Lucas, a five-time Top Fuel runner-up. “The information is being shared among both teams and the feedback we’re getting is benefitting both my and J.R.’s (Todd) car. We’re on an upswing and although it doesn’t matter as part of the championship, we still feel we can run with the best of them and we’re looking forward to winning in Richmond.”

Lucas will not deny that 2008 hasn’t been his best performance in a young career that is commemorating his fifth season of racing as a professional, but the 24-year old driver from Brownsburg, Ind., isn’t waivered or distracted by the past. It’s the future Lucas is looking forward to greeting and his racing graph would project an upward swing.

“Just take a look at our team’s overall accomplishments of recent late,” said the driver of the Lucas Oil Stabilizer dragster. “J.R. won in Dallas and the knowledge is collected from both cars to come up with a tune-up to match the air conditions. Richmond can be a difficult place to race on only due to the fact there is a transition point and it’s how we go over that area will decide our outcome.”