Larry Morgan had to think about the offer presented to him.

Morgan, who entered the Pro Stock ranks in 1989, made a strong name as a sportsman racer, having raced once as a member of the famous Rod Shop/Castrol Super Team. He secured nine national event victories as a sportsman racer. 

Morgan returned to his old sportsman stomping grounds, thanks to an arrangement brokered by Holley's Robin Lawrence to drive Darren Poole-Adams' COPO Camaro. 

A week before the NHRA Carolina Nationals, Lawrence proposed that Morgan drive one of the COPO Camaros at the LS Fest event in Bowling Green, Ky. 

There was an adjustment period for Morgan, who had for over 25 years racing a 500-inch, planetary transmission equipped Pro Stocker. 

Morgan launched in the COPO, and on the first two runs spun the tires leading the veteran driver to suspect it was a case of bad tires. A new set of tires later, and Morgan made a good run. 

Morgan set up for the first round, only to realize he was paired against a familiar foe in Al Corda, who was the No. 1 qualifier. He beat Corda, and in doing so earned a second round competition bye run. The next round Morgan crossed paths with AJ Currie and with the victory advanced to the finals where he lost to Phil Giles by .008. 

So inspired was Poole-Adams with Morgan's performance, he asked the veteran if he'd like to drive the car at the NHRA Carolina Nationals. 

Morgan once again responded, "Let me think about it."

Morgan was talking to wife Dianne on the drive home and mentioned that he'd had fun. He consulted with Dianne on racing in Charlotte and texted Graham Light about entering the event. 

Morgan was reminded that while sportsman drag racing is fun, it's also a lot of work. 

"I ran 9.38 on the first run but it blew the tires off of it the next time," Morgan explained. "Just annihilated the tires. The tires were new tires. So I started working on the car. One of the struts is locked up; the left strut is locked up."

Morgan, along with Darryl from Bo Butner's Pro Stock team, made adjustments and prepared the car for the first round. Unfortunately, Morgan lost in the first round to Adam Davis. 

Early exit or not, Morgan still had the time of his life and it was reminiscent of the days when he was a sportsman drag racer. But, as Morgan puts it, some things never change. 

"I get here before it’s daylight and then when you get here about a quarter 'til seven, these guys start coming out like rats everywhere," Morgan said with a laugh. "I mean, your car is fired up, and people are running all about their business…it’s funny to watch."

The grandstands were empty, and Morgan could see his family, and with the window down could also hear them. 

"Well when I come back by to go watch Robin and AJ run, I come by, and I saw my grandson, son and my wife up there," Morgan said. "And my son and grandson waved at my wife, and she looked at me and threw her hands up and said, 'you suck."

And just like that, Morgan recalled how tough winning at sportsman racing was. 

"I’m a sportsman racer now, and the people are just for real," explained Morgan. "They’re real people. Not that the Pro Stock guys aren’t, but you look at these guys, and these guys work their rearends off and come out here and spend every cent they can do to get out here and do this. It’s fun. Good people to work with."