BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 19) -- The Lucas Oil racecars driven by Shawn Langdon and Larry Morgan each earned spots in Sunday's elimination rounds at the 10th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals with solid qualifying efforts at Bristol Dragway.
Langdon and the Lucas Oil/Speedco dragster qualified ninth in the Top Fuel field, although the sophomore driver said his spot on the ladder doesn't accurately reflect the way the car performed during Friday and Saturday's qualifying sessions.
"Qualifying this weekend was just a one-session qualifier," Langdon said. "The top cars made good runs at night (on Friday). We just barely missed it that round because we dropped a cylinder.
"The first session, we were No. 1, so we know we can run with these guys when the weather conditions are more like they'll be on race day."
Langdon's best lap was in 3.964 at 298.34 mph. He will be paired with Terry McMillen, who ran an identical 3.964 but gets lane choice thanks to his slightly better top speed of 299.13 mph.
"We're No. 9, it's not exactly where we want to be, but it's not a worst-case scenario either," Langdon said. "We've gone rounds from this position before. We'll be good for race day."
Morgan made the Pro Stock field for a second race in a row in his Lucas Oil Ford Mustang. He qualified 13th on the ladder after a best pass of 6.772 seconds at 202.82 mph. The veteran engine builder faces the No. 4 car of fellow Ohioan Ron Krisher, who went 7.735 at 204.32 mph.
"We made a good run on Friday and quicker than the bump most of the rest of the time," Morgan said. "We put a new set of heads on and I feel the seats have moved.
"We're going to put in another motor just to be safe. We were one of the 16 quickest cars, but I don't think it's good enough to run tomorrow.
"Right now I'm just excited to get the Lucas Oil/Summit Ford Mustang into the field again because of all the struggles we've had lately."
Due to a nearby church, eliminations for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begin at noon EDT Sunday from Bristol Dragway. The race will be shown in primetime on ESPN2.
