ELIJAH MORTON HITS STRIDE
Mountain motor Pro Stock racer back
in frontrunner status …
In 2004 Elijah Morton drove past Brian Gahm and into the Winner’s
Circle at the Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario. After
that the dry spell began.
Morton could not seem to find the right combination after the win in
Grand Bend, and spent the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons searching, in
vain, for the right set-up…a set-up that would take him back to the
hallowed ground of the Winner’s Circle. Heading into 2008 it was
apparent things were going to be different.
Morton opened some eyes at South Georgia Motorsports Park in pre-season
testing by clocking a pass at 224.40 mph, a speed that would have
shattered the standing Mountain Motor Pro Stock speed world record by a
full half-second. He also ran a 6.279 during testing at Rockingham
Dragway before advancing to the semifinals at the IHRA season opener in
San Antonio, ultimately falling to eventual event champion John
Montecalvo.
Mountain motor Pro Stock racer back in frontrunner status …
In 2004 Elijah Morton drove past Brian Gahm and into the Winner’s Circle at the Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario. After that the dry spell began.
Morton could not seem to find the right combination after the win in Grand Bend, and spent the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons searching, in vain, for the right set-up…a set-up that would take him back to the hallowed ground of the Winner’s Circle. Heading into 2008 it was apparent things were going to be different.
Morton opened some eyes at South Georgia Motorsports Park in pre-season testing by clocking a pass at 224.40 mph, a speed that would have shattered the standing Mountain Motor Pro Stock speed world record by a full half-second. He also ran a 6.279 during testing at Rockingham Dragway before advancing to the semifinals at the IHRA season opener in San Antonio, ultimately falling to eventual event champion John Montecalvo.
Morton’s best was yet to come. At the IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham he put together a string of passes in the 6.30’s and avenged his loss to Montecalvo by topping him in the final round. Morton’s ET’s in four rounds of competition (6.335, 6.373, 6.357 and 6.345) spell out exactly how far he and his racing team have come.
“I had a three-year drought,” Morton said. “Monte drove his butt off in San Antonio and put me out in the semifinals. But I was bound and determined to pay him back. Monte’s a good driver and a good guy, but it was my turn. We left a little ahead of him and took the ‘W’ and that’s what counts.”
And it felt good to get the monkey off his back.
“It’s been a long dry spell. I had family and friends here and it’s been three years, but they all stuck in with me. It just feels great,” Morton said. “To win a national event at my home track…nothing feels better.”
With a win under his belt, Morton is looking forward to getting back at it in Milan.
“I have a race car I have confidence in,” he said. “If you give me that and I can do a little driving we can win some rounds. That Jerry Haas Mustang has been awesome; it’s gone down the track every run. It’s been a great car.”
And now his trophy case will get a new addition.
“I have three Ironmen [trophies] at home, but they were getting lonely,” Morton said after the win in Rockingham. “Now I get to bring them a little company.”
