Top Fuel's youngest pro driver, Morgan Lucas, posted one of his best passes of the year Friday
night at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park to qualify No. 4 at the 40th annual United Association
NHRA SuperNationals. Lucas' teammate Shawn Langdon also looked sharp, putting his reliable Lucas
Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster into the top half of the field once again.
Lucas rode crew chief Jimmy Walsh's tune-up to a 3.858 at 308.07 mph to earn the fourth slot for
his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster. The 25-year-old from Brownsburg, Ind., has only qualified
with a quicker time on one other occasion this year.
"When the engine keeps all eight cylinders lit, we have great runs," Lucas said. "Now we need to
make it repeat. Believe me, no one wants a consistent racecar more than the guys in this GEICO
Powersports/Lucas Oil pit. They're all as frustrated as I've been over the last few races. But
we'll get through it together and we'll be better in the long run.
"Jimmy's mom has been sick lately and I know he's really wanting to have a big weekend because this
track is close to home (Scranton, Pa.) for him. He's really been focused and pretty intense and he
put together a great car for us tonight."
Lucas had a special guest in his pit all day as New York Jets linebacker Marques Murrell joined him
at the racetrack.
"I feel like I made a new friend today," Lucas said. "What a cool guy. I know the NFL season starts
to get crazy in another month or so but I sure hope Marques can come back out and hang with us
again. He's always welcome in our pit."
Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Langdon has qualified in the top half of the field in nine of the
first 10 races this season and he's hoping he can do it again at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Through Day 1, he's eighth with a 3.916 at 306.67 mph.
"We've had a great car all year," he said. "The only thing hurting us over the last two races were
stupid little part's failures. Today nothing broke on either run so we're really happy. Maybe those
little issues are behind us.
"It was great to see Morgan running well. I know that team has been frustrated but they looked
awesome in Round 2. It's good to see the smiles on their faces. We're both in the top half and
that's a great start. We'll see if we can get quicker tomorrow. All we'll need is a little cloud
cover and it can definitely happen."
Saturday's final two qualifying sessions are scheduled for noon and 3 p.m.
