Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas was just 11 years old when he took his first drag racing road trip from Southern California to Seattle's Pacific Raceways. Riding along with Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jason Rupert, Lucas might as well have been travelling to the Land of Oz that weekend 15 years ago, for that's how exotic the Emerald City seemed to the son of Lucas Oil founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.

I will never forget that trip," the now 26-year-old driver of the GEICO Powersports Lucas Oil dragster said. "It was the most significant thing I had ever done, up to that point in my life, by a long shot. I pretty much thought it didn't get any better than that and, even now, I think I still feel the same way. It was an awesome experience."

Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas was just 11 years old when he took his first drag racing road trip from Southern California to Seattle's Pacific Raceways. Riding along with Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jason Rupert, Lucas might as well have been travelling to the Land of Oz that weekend 15 years ago, for that's how exotic the Emerald City seemed to the son of Lucas Oil founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.

I will never forget that trip," the now 26-year-old driver of the GEICO Powersports Lucas Oil dragster said. "It was the most significant thing I had ever done, up to that point in my life, by a long shot. I pretty much thought it didn't get any better than that and, even now, I think I still feel the same way. It was an awesome experience."

For that reason alone, although he's added several more memories to his list, Lucas considers Pacific Raceways his favorite stop in the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, making this weekend's Northwest Nationals a crown jewel in his eyes.

"First of all, it's a beautiful part of the country," Lucas said. "I feel as comfortable there as anywhere we go. Then you have to consider the fans up there. They are as diehard as you can get. We've had rainout races and you get there Monday and the stands are still packed. That's how into drag racing they are.

"I started my Top Alcohol Dragster career there in 2002. I earned my first pole there. I won my first race there. In 2004, we announced I was turning pro and would be driving Joe Amato's Top Fuel dragster. Obviously, those were all big moments in my life."

Now a tour veteran with six-plus pro seasons under his safety belts, Lucas returns to town with a new set of goals.

"We're reaching a point where we need to lock up a spot in the playoffs," Lucas said. "We'd like to do that during the Western Swing (consecutive races in Seattle, Sonoma, and Denver). I'd love to win this race. It would mean the world to me to win Seattle.

"We brought (clutch specialist) Rob Wendland on board a few races back and his experience already has made a difference. We're more consistent in the clutch department and the car is going down the track every time. Having an extra set of eyes, especially with a guy like Rob that has been through the wars, you just can't put a price on that. We're pretty excited about our program right now."