Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas said the only thing missing from his first professional-level victory earlier this year in Atlanta was his parents, Forrest and Charlotte Lucas. On Sunday, with his father on the starting line and his mother serving as trophy girl at the top end, Lucas won his family’s namesake race—the 28th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals—to complete a dream weekend.
“My first win in Atlanta earlier this year was special but nothing compares to seeing my mom standing there crying when she handed me the trophy of the Lucas Oil Nationals down there at the top end,” Lucas said. “She’s always been my biggest fan and her and dad missed the Atlanta race so this was their first one since I’ve been in Top Fuel. Morganlucas.com
With his parents watching intently, Lucas, who lost the first five finals of his Top Fuel career, won his second straight by edging Larry Dixon in a thrilling 3.814 to 3.818 final round.The Top Fuel final paired the top two qualifiers, No. 1 Lucas and No. 2 Dixon, whose performances had mirrored one another throughout the day but Lucas collected his 12th career win with a career-best run.
“It was the best day of my life, and this is the best feeling in the world,” said Lucas. “I’m still weak. I’ve got goosebumps all over my body, and it’s hot out. I don’t know what to do for the rest of the year because we’ve accomplished all the goals we set, to win multiple races, to qualify No. 1, and to have a team that’s competitive. I think we gained all those and it’s been a really impressive day. I can’t tell you how proud I am and how proud I am of my parents to have given me this opportunity to race and be at this level. It’s a dream come true.
“In 2004 we won with the A/Fuel car, it was my first race here, and this is my fifth year anniversary. I’ve been trying [to win here in Top Fuel]. I went to the semi’s the last couple of years, and that’s been really cool to win a few rounds for mom and dad, but we’ve struggled a lot and coming here and winning is the cat’s meow. Nothing gets better than this.” NHRA
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