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Morgan Lucas Finishes 2003 Season in the Winner’s Circle

Morgan Lucas, driver of the Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster, took home his sixth win of the 2003 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season at the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals contested at Pomona Raceway. In his last race behind the wheel of the Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows-owned dragster, Lucas posted the second quickest elapsed time of the weekend with a 5.292-second pass during a solo pass in the final round.

After qualifying fourth with a 5.341-second pass at 265.38 miles per hour, Lucas defeated Mitch Meyers in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday. Meyers was off the starting line first but dropped a cylinder early in the run posting a 5.508-second E.T. (238.85 mph) against Lucas’ 5.34-second pass at 264.29 mph.

During the quarterfinals, Lucas was very quick off the line with a 0.021-second reaction time and never looked back taking the win over David Wells and advancing to the semifinals.

The top two ranked drivers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series faced each other in the semifinals with the winner advancing to the final round. Lucas had a slight advantage off the starting line against the 2003 national champion, Alan Bradshaw. Bradshaw dropped some cylinders and smoked the tires by the 330-foot mark posting a 5.875-second run to Lucas’ 5.409-second elapsed time.

Lucas ran uncontested in the final round after Mike Cofini broke on the starting line and was unable to run. “This is not the way we like to win,” explained Lucas. “It is very unfortunate for Mike but a win is a win and we’ll take it. What a great way to end the season. This team worked hard all year and this win is for them.”

In just his first full season behind the wheel of an alcohol dragster, Lucas set the drag racing world on fire. The young nineteen-year-old from Southern California earned six low qualifier awards, collected six event wins, finished second in the national points standings and won the Division 7 championship.

“I had an unbelievable year with Jerry and Ken,” said Lucas. “They taught me so much about the car and driving and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to drive for them. We accomplished a lot of things I never thought possible. Winning the U.S. Nationals and the Jeg’s Allstar race were probably the two most exciting times of the season for me. Finishing second in the national points and first in Division 7 was pretty great, too. I want to thank all my sponsors, my mom and dad and Lucas Oil for all their support this year.”

Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series television coverage from the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals is scheduled to air on ESPN2 Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. (EST) and Nov. 27 at 3:00 a.m. (EST).

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