MORE ON THE FORD IN MORGAN’S FUTURE
Wed, 2009-06-17 20:54
The irony of what’s going to take place in NHRA Drag Racing next season
can’t be ignored: After years of rebuffing every single 
sponsorship
proposal involving Pro Stock, Ford Motor Company will have an active
presence in the sport – a very active presence. The irony?
Ford is stepping up to the plate at the same time the Pontiac brand is
being killed, Chevrolet is struggling for identity as GM restructures
after their very public bankruptcy, and Chrysler is being sold to Fiat,
the Italian car manufacturer more well known for econoboxes than
Hemi-powered fliers.
If you thought the Pro Stock playing field was changed this year, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! The impact of the virtual departure of both GM and Dodge from active sponsorship – with very few exceptions – tilted the playing field toward those with the ability, fortitude and finances to make it on their own without Detroit’s assistance. There were at least 10 GM-backed drivers who benefitted from cash, parts or both in 2008 who were cut loose completely this year. Dodge also had a group of supported racers, and for the last 10 years, Larry Morgan was one of them, but he, too, got the word in December that it was over. Merry Christmas!
sponsorship proposal involving Pro Stock, Ford Motor Company will have an active presence in the sport – a very active presence. The irony? Ford is stepping up to the plate at the same time the Pontiac brand is being killed, Chevrolet is struggling for identity as GM restructures after their very public bankruptcy, and Chrysler is being sold to Fiat, the Italian car manufacturer more well known for econoboxes than Hemi-powered fliers.
If you thought the Pro Stock playing field was changed this year, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! The impact of the virtual departure of both GM and Dodge from active sponsorship – with very few exceptions – tilted the playing field toward those with the ability, fortitude and finances to make it on their own without Detroit’s assistance. There were at least 10 GM-backed drivers who benefitted from cash, parts or both in 2008 who were cut loose completely this year. Dodge also had a group of supported racers, and for the last 10 years, Larry Morgan was one of them, but he, too, got the word in December that it was over. Merry Christmas!
From the time this Buckeye racer first came to prominence in the sportsman ranks until this very day the things that’ve remained in place are his inimitable smile and dynamic personality. He has, without question, the widest, most welcoming smile of any pro racer when you approach him in the pits. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 10-year old fan wanting an autograph or a fellow Pro Stock racer with a technical question, you’ll be welcomed by Morgan. Through his years racing sportsman cars carrying Rod Shop and later Castrol Team colors, Morgan was consistently the most approachable and open member of those operations. Though he’s never won a championship in Pro Stock, his demeanor has never changed, never faltered. He remains determined to win – and will smile while doing so.
During his entire tenure in drag racing Morgan has maintained and regularly expanded his engine building facility in Newark, Ohio, and that’s helped set him apart from many who remain dependent on others for their powerplants. In point of fact, Morgan has often served as a source of rental engines. Because there’s always flexibility in this segment of the business we won’t begin listing names, because Morgan’s Number 1 customer could be calling one of his competitors later this evening. And it works the other way as well, of course.
Morgan has always had an eye towards the future, and that willingness to look at all possible opportunities has stood him in good stead throughout his career. As he tells it, “Late last year an old Ford racer – a very successful Ford racer -- called me up and asked me if I’d be interested in meeting a Ford motorsports engineer who wanted to see how a Pro Stock operation worked. I was definitely up for that.”
Might as well tell you right now that despite our repeated questions Morgan refused to name the “old Ford racer,” but he did assure us it was not Bob Glidden.
The engineer Morgan was introduced to was Mose Nowland, who told him Ford was definitely considering getting involved in Pro Stock racing. What followed was an exchange of ideas. “I told him what I’d do to change the parts around to make ‘em better for what we’re doing in Pro Stock,” Morgan said. “Mose had a lot of good ideas, too.”
At the same time they were beginning to talk Nowland informed Morgan that Don Ness was already building a new Mustang body for Pro Stock, and it was going to be very good. Morgan then contacted Ness, who was expecting the call, having already heard about the connection from Nowland. “One thing lead to another,” says Morgan, “and pretty soon they had a little program put together to run Pro Stock.
“I can tell you right now that this whole deal (came about) because of Jim Cunningham. In a way he ‘forced’ them to get involved.”
Morgan believes that by competing without Ford’s support for his two Mustangs, and usually failing to qualify, Cunningham was, to some extent, embarrassing Ford. They didn’t what that to continue, so the only way to make sure those DNQs didn’t pile up was to get behind his operation.
“There’s more to it,” Morgan adds. “(Cunningham) helped Ford engineer a new block and cylinder heads, so it’s not like Ford was doing it all. Jim was making plenty of contributions, too.
“Brian Wolf, who’s the head guy for all of Ford’s racing worldwide, helped put this deal together so they could get the parts built for Pro Stock.”
According to Morgan, Cunningham will have his new car on the track before the end of the season, and next year his and Cunningham’s will be the “official” factory cars. However, it should be noted that the car Erica Enders is currently driving is owned by Cunningham, and while it’s far too early to speculate on whether or not she’ll be part of the operation next year, that seems a likely scenario. That would become even more likely if Cunningham’s new car is more competitive than Enders’ current ride, which is consistently listed among the DNQs.
“I will not be taking on any engine rental customers until my own car is running the way I think it should be,” Morgan says. “The object is to get as many Fords out there as we possibly can. Jim has his own engine program, and I have my own, too.
“I think I’ve done a pretty good job of servicing my customers, but I haven’t done a great job. I will not take on any rental customers until our program is running the way we want it to,” Morgan says. He admits that some of his regulars have already expressed an interest in switching to Ford next season. “John Nobile has already told me he’s selling his Dodge stuff, so he’ll be with us. Some other guys are also talking about it,” but Morgan declined to name names when we asked him for specifics. “You could see a half dozen Fords in Pro Stock by Gainesville of next year,” he added, “and that includes Jim Cunningham’s two cars.”
Morgan says there will be a limited sharing of information between the two camps and Ford Motor Company. Hypothetically speaking, if Morgan were to come up with a new cylinder head design both Cunningham and Ford would get that information, but Morgan adds, “Jim will not get my exact cylinder head. He’ll get the basic design, but he’ll have to take it from there.”
Cunningham will get the first of the Ness-built Mustang bodies, possibly as early as next week. Morgan’s will come some time after that. He could be track testing prior to the U.S. Nationals, but he doesn’t anticipate having a complete car ready for competition by then.
Next season Morgan’s car will continue to carry major sponsorship signage from Lucas Oil, as he’s kept them informed of the Ford program’s progress from day one. “They’ll definitely be with me next year,” he says.
Morgan and Cunningham are already hard at work on engine development projects. “There’s been a problem with heads,” Morgan admits, “but they poured engine blocks last week, and I would guess they’ll probably be machining those within the week. We could possibly have parts by the end of July.
“I met Brian Wolf at Las Vegas, and I have to say that the group of guys that are involved with this program are all pretty much racers. Brian, Jesse Kershaw, Doug Hervy and Mose are all dedicated to this deal. I’ve been in meetings with them. We’ve done stuff in a single day that would have taken us six months at Mopar.
sponsorship
proposal involving Pro Stock, Ford Motor Company will have an active
presence in the sport – a very active presence. The irony?
Ford is stepping up to the plate at the same time the Pontiac brand is
being killed, Chevrolet is struggling for identity as GM restructures
after their very public bankruptcy, and Chrysler is being sold to Fiat,
the Italian car manufacturer more well known for econoboxes than
Hemi-powered fliers.If you thought the Pro Stock playing field was changed this year, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! The impact of the virtual departure of both GM and Dodge from active sponsorship – with very few exceptions – tilted the playing field toward those with the ability, fortitude and finances to make it on their own without Detroit’s assistance. There were at least 10 GM-backed drivers who benefitted from cash, parts or both in 2008 who were cut loose completely this year. Dodge also had a group of supported racers, and for the last 10 years, Larry Morgan was one of them, but he, too, got the word in December that it was over. Merry Christmas!
In An Exclusive, In-Depth Conversation With CompetitionPlus.Com Larry Morgan Provides All The Details Of Next Year’s Ford Program
The irony of what’s going to take place in NHRA Drag Racing next season can’t be ignored: After years of rebuffing every single
This smiling face belies the hard-core, determined-to-win competitor behind it. Larry Morgan is one tough racer.
If you thought the Pro Stock playing field was changed this year, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! The impact of the virtual departure of both GM and Dodge from active sponsorship – with very few exceptions – tilted the playing field toward those with the ability, fortitude and finances to make it on their own without Detroit’s assistance. There were at least 10 GM-backed drivers who benefitted from cash, parts or both in 2008 who were cut loose completely this year. Dodge also had a group of supported racers, and for the last 10 years, Larry Morgan was one of them, but he, too, got the word in December that it was over. Merry Christmas!
From the time this Buckeye racer first came to prominence in the sportsman ranks until this very day the things that’ve remained in place are his inimitable smile and dynamic personality. He has, without question, the widest, most welcoming smile of any pro racer when you approach him in the pits. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 10-year old fan wanting an autograph or a fellow Pro Stock racer with a technical question, you’ll be welcomed by Morgan. Through his years racing sportsman cars carrying Rod Shop and later Castrol Team colors, Morgan was consistently the most approachable and open member of those operations. Though he’s never won a championship in Pro Stock, his demeanor has never changed, never faltered. He remains determined to win – and will smile while doing so.
I can tell you right now that this whole deal (came about) because of Jim Cunningham. In a way he ‘forced’ them to get involved.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
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Erica Enders colorful Mustang runs out of Jim Cunningham’s shop, and
has not been competitive in 2009. However, that’s likely to change
dramatically next season – if Enders remains part of the operation.
Morgan has always had an eye towards the future, and that willingness to look at all possible opportunities has stood him in good stead throughout his career. As he tells it, “Late last year an old Ford racer – a very successful Ford racer -- called me up and asked me if I’d be interested in meeting a Ford motorsports engineer who wanted to see how a Pro Stock operation worked. I was definitely up for that.”
Might as well tell you right now that despite our repeated questions Morgan refused to name the “old Ford racer,” but he did assure us it was not Bob Glidden.
The engineer Morgan was introduced to was Mose Nowland, who told him Ford was definitely considering getting involved in Pro Stock racing. What followed was an exchange of ideas. “I told him what I’d do to change the parts around to make ‘em better for what we’re doing in Pro Stock,” Morgan said. “Mose had a lot of good ideas, too.”
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
Morgan Dodge Dealers-backed machine competed in 2001. Morgan enjoyed a 10-year relationship with Dodge Division.
“I can tell you right now that this whole deal (came about) because of Jim Cunningham. In a way he ‘forced’ them to get involved.”
Morgan believes that by competing without Ford’s support for his two Mustangs, and usually failing to qualify, Cunningham was, to some extent, embarrassing Ford. They didn’t what that to continue, so the only way to make sure those DNQs didn’t pile up was to get behind his operation.
“There’s more to it,” Morgan adds. “(Cunningham) helped Ford engineer a new block and cylinder heads, so it’s not like Ford was doing it all. Jim was making plenty of contributions, too.
“Brian Wolf, who’s the head guy for all of Ford’s racing worldwide, helped put this deal together so they could get the parts built for Pro Stock.”
According to Morgan, Cunningham will have his new car on the track before the end of the season, and next year his and Cunningham’s will be the “official” factory cars. However, it should be noted that the car Erica Enders is currently driving is owned by Cunningham, and while it’s far too early to speculate on whether or not she’ll be part of the operation next year, that seems a likely scenario. That would become even more likely if Cunningham’s new car is more competitive than Enders’ current ride, which is consistently listed among the DNQs.
“I will not be taking on any engine rental customers until my own car is running the way I think it should be,” Morgan says. “The object is to get as many Fords out there as we possibly can. Jim has his own engine program, and I have my own, too.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
Although he’ll be in a Ford next season, Larry Morgan will still having major sponsorship support from Lucas Oil Products.
Morgan says there will be a limited sharing of information between the two camps and Ford Motor Company. Hypothetically speaking, if Morgan were to come up with a new cylinder head design both Cunningham and Ford would get that information, but Morgan adds, “Jim will not get my exact cylinder head. He’ll get the basic design, but he’ll have to take it from there.”
Cunningham will get the first of the Ness-built Mustang bodies, possibly as early as next week. Morgan’s will come some time after that. He could be track testing prior to the U.S. Nationals, but he doesn’t anticipate having a complete car ready for competition by then.
Next season Morgan’s car will continue to carry major sponsorship signage from Lucas Oil, as he’s kept them informed of the Ford program’s progress from day one. “They’ll definitely be with me next year,” he says.
Morgan and Cunningham are already hard at work on engine development projects. “There’s been a problem with heads,” Morgan admits, “but they poured engine blocks last week, and I would guess they’ll probably be machining those within the week. We could possibly have parts by the end of July.
“I met Brian Wolf at Las Vegas, and I have to say that the group of guys that are involved with this program are all pretty much racers. Brian, Jesse Kershaw, Doug Hervy and Mose are all dedicated to this deal. I’ve been in meetings with them. We’ve done stuff in a single day that would have taken us six months at Mopar.
“This may not be a huge deal to some people, but it’s a huge deal to me. I’m telling you, this is so much more open than what I’ve seen in the past. We get to go to the wind tunnel at Lockheed for testing, and we couldn’t do that with the other manufacturers.”
Want some really bad news if you’re not a Ford fan? Morgan says that the early wind tunnel testing demonstrates that the new Mustang requires 25 less horsepower to go 200 mph than his current Dodge!
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