SEATTLE – Morgan Lucas will take his Lucas Oil Stabilizer Top Fuel dragster into competition for the running of the 21st annual Schuck’s Auto Supply Nationals from the No. 5 starting position. Racing veteran, Doug Kalitta in the first round is nothing new for the Brownsburg, Ind., resident, but it’s been since the first round of the 2007 Bristol race has Lucas and Kalitta have been paired up in eliminations.
Lucas recorded a time 3.848 seconds, 312.50 mph in the Friday night qualifying to secure his position in the 16-car lineup with the interim NHRA rules stating Top Fuel and Funny Car to race to only 1,000 feet.
“The 1,000 feet deal really hasn’t made it easy for anyone in this class other than it’s made it great for the fans, I think, ” said Lucas. “It’s going to add a lot more competitive racing. It’s safer and once the fans get used to it, I don’t think anyone will notice a difference.”
In head-to-head racing match ups in NHRA National event competition, Lucas’ record again Kalitta is 4-5 with this being their tenth meeting.
“Bottom line, Doug is a great competitor and our former crew chief, Richard Hogan is over there running that car with John O (Oberhofer),” said Lucas. “They’re a great team and it will be a classic drag race. What makes it great is the colossal match ups first round with a 50/50 chance if you’re going to win or lose. That goes for everybody. It’s going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight and we’re going to have fun doing it.”
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