Morgan remains a mainstay on Lucas Oil/MAVTV team heading into 2013

CORONA, Calif. (Feb. 7) - Fresh of his Top 10 season in 2012, Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan will be once again entering the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series with the colors of Lucas Oil and MAVTV on his Ford Mustang.

"I can't tell you how excited we are," Morgan said. "I've been racing a lot of years, and Forrest and Charlotte Lucas have stuck by us in good times and in the not-so-good times.

"We did a lot of work over the winter and I think we've got a great car this year."

Morgan raced hard enough last year to make the Countdown to the Championship, the NHRA's playoffs, and he finished 10th in the final standings.

"We really had to scratch and claw our way into the Countdown last year," Morgan said. "I hope with the improvements we've made with the engines we'll be able to get some more horsepower and make it in with room to spare this year.

"Just a little boost in horsepower makes all the difference. It helps your qualifying and helps you on race day. I'm excited about the season and am eager to see how we stack up against the rest of the field when we get to Pomona next week."

Morgan, a winner of 10 career races in Pro Stock, said his Mustang will have a different look than most fans are used to seeing.

"We've split the paint job 50/50," Morgan said. "Half the car is painted up for Lucas Oil and the other half will be for MAVTV. There's won't be any other car out there like it."

Tom Bogner, Motorsports Manager at Lucas Oil, said Lucas Oil is proud to continue its relationship with Morgan.

"Larry is a family man and a veteran racer," Bogner said. "He's been an excellent ambassador for Lucas Oil and all our other great products. We can't wait for another productive season with Larry and his team."

The 2013 season gets started with the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals running Feb. 14-17 at Auto Club Raceway of Pomona.