Morgan Collects Provisional 15th Slot At Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Indianapolis Raceway Park Clermont
Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Indianapolis Raceway Park Clermont, Ind.. Qualifying Notes & Quotes Morgan Drives to Provisional 15th Slot CLERMONT, Ind. (Aug. 30, 2003) -- Mopar Pro Stock veteran Larry Morgan piloted his new Dodge Stratus to the provisional 15th slot following Saturdayıs first two qualifying sessions of the 49th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Rain cancelled the first day of qualifying on Friday. Morgan, who won this event in 1989, drove to a 6.852-second elapsed time at 200.14 mph. He spoke of his day. ³Weıre going to put a bigger wicker on this thing,² Morgan said. ³The car is incredibly loose out there. Weıre good in the power, we just have to get down the track. There wasnıt any reason for our car to get loose down there. We just need to get used to this new car.² Teammate Gene Wilson didnıt fare as well in his Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus, missing the top 16. Wilson ran a 6.886-second lap at 200.56 mph in his first-qualifying session, but couldnıt improve when he had to shut off in the second. ³The car was very good on the initial leave,² Wilson said. ³We were one of the top cars down low with a .996 (of a second) 60-foot time. We found some problems in the chassis that we didnıt know were there. Unfortunately, the problems reared its ugly head at a most inopportune time. When the car really starts to work like it should, we find other flaws with the car. (Crew chief/consultant) Bob Glidden and Larry Morgan are doing a great job. They are giving us a lot of power and they work extremely hard. We have a early morning session tomorrow, so we should be okay.² Allen Johnson and his Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus failed to crack the qualifying field as well. His Hemi-powered machine logged a 6.883-second elapsed time at 199.61 mph. Teammate Darrell Alderman, winner of this event in 1991, also missed the qualified field. The Morehead, Ky., resident posted a 6.867-second elapsed time at 200.14 mph. -Mopar.com- For more information, contact: David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Public Relations Manager Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 799-2114 office (704) 756-9301 - mobile