Justin Humphreys wasn’t about to answer his phone.
The past NHRA Pro Stock national event winner, who has been out of racing for almost five year, was enjoying his family time. However, this wasn’t just family time. This was his daughter’s ninth birthday celebration.
Humphreys described the scenario as “a maniac named Larry Morgan kept blowing up my phone.”
The persistent Morgan didn’t give up, he took his aggressive approach to text messaging. His text message got Humphreys attention.
“Will you show up in Charlotte, get in my car and drive?” The text asked.
This caught Humphreys’ attention. He responded with an emphatic yes and hasn’t slept since.
“It was really the last thing I ever expected,” said Humphreys. “Ever since I left four years ago, I dreamed of being able to come back but it was tough finance wise.”
In his absence, Humphreys allowed his competition license to expire. Humphreys and Morgan dropped by Rockingham Dragway, where after a couple of runs brought his license back current.
“I was a little shaky going into my first burnout,” said Humphreys. “Once I let the clutch out, it all felt normal for me.”
Humphreys understands drag racing, Pro Stock racing specifically, is addicting.
“I’ve already relapsed in a bad way,” admitted Humphreys. “I had been sober for four years before Larry called me. Once it’s in your blood, it is hard to get out. Financially, it’s hard to see me doing this full-time again right now. The top teams have pretty much priced the lesser funded teams out of here. I don’t know how you could fix it. For a smaller budget car to come out and compete with those guys is next to impossible.”
Humphreys has one national event victory to his credit, the 2008 NHRA Carolinas Nationals, hosted by zMax Dragway in Concord, NC.
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