Morgan Lucas has learned a valuable lesson this season. No one is above having a disastrous season.

“This year has been lesson that anyone with any budget can have a year like we did. I thought we had a bad year last year. But I have learned what a bad year is. We were hurting parts on every run and blowing the heads off of the car. Now I have come to realize what a bad year really is. The people who are true friends have really showed themselves this year. It has been an up and down year, but now it is a little more fun. We are just going to keep our heads in it and try to win a race this year.”

“Maybe this will be good for next year since they are giving us 90% back and a couple of other things. We are going to get geared up for that. This winter we plan to test as much as possible.”

Morgan Lucas has learned a valuable lesson this season. No one is above having a disastrous season.

“This year has been lesson that anyone with any budget can have a year like we did. I thought we had a bad year last year. But I have learned what a bad year is. We were hurting parts on every run and blowing the heads off of the car. Now I have come to realize what a bad year really is. The people who are true friends have really showed themselves this year. It has been an up and down year, but now it is a little more fun. We are just going to keep our heads in it and try to win a race this year.”

“Maybe this will be good for next year since they are giving us 90% back and a couple of other things. We are going to get geared up for that. This winter we plan to test as much as possible.”

Lucas isn’t a player in this season’s playoffs but that doesn’t diminish his respect of the new format.

“You’re in Hot Rod’s position and you lead the points all year long and you get that lead taken away from you and I can feel that being a heart breaker. You have to look at the other people that got a chance to get in there like Herbert; he’s only a few rounds out of the top four. That’s cool to see the guys who didn’t shine when they should have and shining when they have to. The playoff format we have now will be good for the future of the sport.”

Next year will be Lucas’ first time racing under the 90% nitromethane rule. His first race as a Top Fuel driver was during the initial implementation of the 85% limit.

“I think those that figure the 90% are going to see a definite cost decrease,” Lucas said. “I think in the beginning we will stick with 85% and work our way. We will use the 90% as a tuning tool.”

Lucas said he isn’t sure the nitro is where the NHRA needed to make the adjustment. He said there’s a list of places that need revamping.

“I think that NHRA needs to work on making these tires better,” said Lucas. “If they want good side-by-side competitive racing, that’s what they need to do. The Friday night qualifying is something we need to look at. They might even need some personnel changes up top. I just know this sport has a lot of potential. I think when you keep looking away from a problem; you are letting it turn into an infection. Realistically, I think the 90% is going to add another variable. It will bring consistency to some and to others it will create more breakage.

“When it gets to the point you are paying $5,000 an oildown, it will make you consider whether you want to do this or not if you are an underfunded team.”