Morgan Lucas knew at an early age he was going to be a
professional drag racer. What he didn’t anticipate was the
ironic sequence of events that would see him getting the
opportunity to fulfill his dream because of the fatal accident
of the driver who had inspired it.  Lucas was 10 years old and
just another curious youngster when his father, Forrest, took
him to the NHRA World Finals at Pomona Raceway. As they wandered
the pits and took in all the pageantry and excitement, the young
Lucas happened to encounter Darrell Russell, who at the time was
an up-and-coming driver of a Top Alcohol dragster.  Lucas asked
Russell if he had any old or damaged parts he could autograph.
Russell responded by signing his name to a bent front wheel from
his dragster and giving it to the boy, who carried it through
the pit area and collected other autographs as well. Lucas said
at that point he knew what he wanted to do when he grew up.  A
little over 10 years later, on Aug. 13, 2004, Lucas made his
professional debut in a Top