Larry Morgan said he wanted to make someone’s day and did just that. He invited a clown to the race.

Never mind the fact Morgan’s crew thinks he’s a clown incognito; Morgan extended the invitation.

Fumbles the Clown was in the Morgan house … eh … pits.

“I’ve got my own personal clown,” Morgan said, laughing with the response. “We went to eat breakfast and this guy was clowning around in there. He asked me if I was with a team and I told him yes. Then he hinted that he would love to come to the race. I extended the invitation and he came.”

The time frame was tight for Fumbles. He had an hour to spare and that was long enough to make an appearance on the starting line for Morgan’s third qualifying attempt. Larry Morgan said he wanted to make someone’s day and did just that. He invited a clown to the race.

Never mind the fact Morgan’s crew thinks he’s a clown incognito; Morgan extended the invitation.

Fumbles the Clown was in the Morgan house … eh … pits.

“I’ve got my own personal clown,” Morgan said, laughing with the response. “We went to eat breakfast and this guy was clowning around in there. He asked me if I was with a team and I told him yes. Then he hinted that he would love to come to the race. I extended the invitation and he came.”

The time frame was tight for Fumbles. He had an hour to spare and that was long enough to make an appearance on the starting line for Morgan’s third qualifying attempt.

“Actually, we are in the entertainment business,” Morgan said. “We are at a circus. We need to have a clown, so we brought one. I think we’ve always had one -- he just wouldn’t dress up.”

Morgan, who has taken jabs at the NHRA over the last few years, said the clown act was not a subliminal message based on Friday’s Topeka situation. He had an honest-to-goodness clown opportunity and took it.

Besides, Morgan said, the NHRA did all they could to rectify the situation.

“There was nothing that NHRA could have done about the starting line,” Morgan said. “It wasn’t their fault. It was an unfortunate deal for everyone. Then the rain came.

“A man just wanted to come. I got him up on the starting line. He is from around this area and had never done this. I just made his day.

“I feel good that I did this. After all, this is a circus around here and we have to have a clown.”

V. Gaines was asked what his contribution to the circus would be. Gaines offered a high-wire act tomorrow as a part of the Morgan show.