Sun, 19 Apr 2009, 11:16 PM Lucas Ends Five-year Wait With First NHRA Full Throttle Series Win

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2009 Auto Imagery, Inc. Beckman, Krawiec also collect wins; Pro Stock delayed to Monday

COMMERCE, Ga. --

Morgan Lucas

After enduring multiple rain delays, Morgan Lucas defeated Spencer Massey in a thrilling pedal-fest to win the Top Fuel title at the 29th annual Summit Racing NHRA Summer Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

The other winners at the sixth of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Series season were Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Pro Stock was postponed by rain with Jeg Coughlin and Mike Edwards scheduled to meet in the final round Monday morning.

It took Lucas five years and five final-round appearances to get his first win so waiting out the five hours of rain delays was only a minor hurdle. The 26-year old Lucas pedaled his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster to a 5.231 at 162.86 to narrowly beat the 27-year old Massey's tire-spinning 5.418 at 145.25 in his U.S. Smokeless dragster.

"I've had five years to think about this . this is probably one of the most exciting moments of my life, if not the most exciting moment. I don't even know how to talk right now I'm so excited," said Lucas, who was competing in his 107th career race. "This is what I've dreamt about for years."

Jack Beckman

Beckman ran a 4.128 at 303.43 in his Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger to defeat the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang team and driver Ashley Force Hood, who lost power near the finish line and slowed to 4.157 at 248.39.

"On paper, Ashley's car had us whupped," said Beckman, who lost to Force Hood two races earlier in final round in Houston. "That car's been the class of the field for eight, nine months. That's why we race, though. Anything can happen when you have 8,000 horsepower of nitro in the tank. It is such an awesome feeling . we got whupped by Ashley (in Houston) and to get back in there and (beat her) is awesome."

Beckman defeated a quartet of Ford Mustangs - including Robert Hight, John Force and Tim Wilkerson - en route to his first win of the year and seventh of his career. And by day's end Beckman moved up from seventh to second place and Force Hood remained in third place.

Eddie Krawiec

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Eddie Krawiec earned his first career win aboard his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with a fleet 6.902 at 192.91 to defeat rookie Douglas Horne (6.949, 191.13).

"This is something I was waiting for . to get my first Wally and be able to put it up on my mantle next to my (2008 NHRA Full Throttle Series) championship trophy is just awesome," Krawiec said.

The NHRA Full Throttle Series resumes in two weekends with the 13th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals May 1-3 at Gateway International Raceway.

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Sunday's final results from the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Morgan Lucas, 5.231 seconds, 162.86 mph def. Spencer Massey, 5.418 seconds, 145.25 mph.

Funny Car -- Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.128, 303.43 def. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.157, 248.39.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.902, 192.91 def. Douglas Horne, Buell, 6.949, 191.13.

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