Sat, 26 Sep 2009, 10:34 PM Lucas, Langdon Complete Their Best Qualifying Session of the '09 Season

Courtesy of Rob Geiger

ENNIS, Tex. -- By qualifying second and fourth at this weekend's 24th annual O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, Top Fuel teammates Morgan Lucas and Shawn Langdon have successfully combined for their best race day start of the 2009 NHRA season.

With Saturday's heat reducing the final two qualifying sessions to glorified test-and-tune runs, Lucas was able to maintain his No. 2 position on the strength of Friday's 3.859 at 313.58 mph, while Langdon stayed fourth with a best of 3.872 at 311.56 mph, which he posted in Round 2.

"What a great weekend for both sides of the pit," team owner/driver Lucas said. "We're doing everything we can to win races and a strong qualifying effort from both cars is a great first step. It's exciting for us and it's exciting for our sponsors. GEICO Powersports, Lucas Oil, Dixie Chopper, and this weekend, Mach 1 Global Services, these are the people we strive to impress. So far, I hope they're happy.

"We tried to test the limits of the track today with both cars because as hot as it got today it's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow. The guys that adapt the best to the conditions are the ones that are going to be smiling at the end of the day. I hope it's one of our cars in the winner's circle."

When Sunday's eliminations begin, Lucas will line his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster up against Mike Strasburg (4.017 at 302.89 mph), who beat him earlier this season in their only head-to-head meeting. Landgon draws six-time IHRA champion Clay Millican, who posted a best of 3.984 at 304.05 mph. Millican enjoys a 2-1 edge over Langdon this season.

"We raced to our first final round last weekend in Charlotte and we'd love to get back to the finals and have another chance," Langdon said. "The car is running great and we were very encouraged to move up in the points like we did. It's cool to be in the top five now and we only want to move up from there.

"We've got Mach 1 Global Services on the car this weekend and they had a huge group out today. That was a lot of fun. Those guys are so into drag racing and I'm glad we're having a big weekend for them. Hopefully that will continue tomorrow."

This marks the 13th time in 20 national events that Lucas and Langdon have both qualified in the top half of the field at the same event.

Sunday's eliminations begin at 11 a.m. CST.

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