Larry Morgan admits he’s survived some tough seasons in his storied career but 2010 has been in a league of its own. He’s blown up enough engines and broken enough parts to leave the legendary Henry Ford shaking his head in disbelief.

He knew the year was going to be one of transition with a change of manufacturer and a new engine program. However, Morgan never envisioned the carnage would reach the level where he would be left to wonder if he’d survive financially.

“When you break seven engines and try and survive that, that’s a tough deal,” admitted a puzzled Morgan. “I am lucky to even still be here. I’m not sure how I am still here, but I am. We’re here. We’re struggling along and I’m fine with that. I could be home doing something I don’t want to do.

Larry Morgan admits he’s survived some tough seasons in his storied career but 2010 has been in a league of its own. He’s blown up enough engines and broken enough parts to leave the legendary Henry Ford shaking his head in disbelief.

He knew the year was going to be one of transition with a change of manufacturer and a new engine program. However, Morgan never envisioned the carnage would reach the level where he would be left to wonder if he’d survive financially.

“When you break seven engines and try and survive that, that’s a tough deal,” admitted a puzzled Morgan. “I am lucky to even still be here. I’m not sure how I am still here, but I am. We’re here. We’re struggling along and I’m fine with that. I could be home doing something I don’t want to do.

“We knew we were going to go through some rough times because of the transition. Do I think we are going to make it through? I’m not sure. Financially, this just costs so much to do what we do.”

The worst part of the storm appears to be over for Morgan, or at least an impressive No. 7 qualifying effort at the recently completed NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., leaves the impression it is. His best starting spot previously was ninth.

Morgan opened the season with a boatload of promise. A surprising semi-final finish at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona had Ford fans who had clamored for a competitive Blue Oval Pro Stock effort believing they could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

However, Pro Stock is a fickle class where a wrong sneeze in the pits can send a combination plummeting into the abyss.

Earlier this year, the NHRA announced mandatory wing and spoiler changes to the Pro Stock cars in an attempt to create more downforce after more than one car found itself on its roof. The move affected many teams adversely. The NHRA’s edict threw Morgan completely off of his game.

“I think with the NHRA changing the rules on the rear of the car with the weight … the cars we were racing were really worked out for the weight off of the rear wheels … they changed the rule for a really simple reason,” Morgan admitted. “We have to do what they do because this is their ballgame. We’ve gotta play by their rules.”

But for Morgan, the move set him back. His efforts in the engine department were affected by his efforts to adjust to the new rule. It was exactly what he and Ford’s management expected – a huge learning curve.

“Mose Nowland and I knew there were going to be a lot of hiccups. Look at how I am running, and how guys are who just started their program,” Morgan added.

Then there were the parts issues which began in the valve train and made its way through to other areas of the engine.

“I blew up everything I touched,” admitted Morgan. “That got me behind.”

Morgan confirmed the valve train issues had him so off center on the tune-up that it took a lot of work to get back on the right track. He doesn’t take solace in knowing others are suffering the same pain. He just knows when it comes to the Ford, he isn't the only one experiencing hard times.

“I wish there was something I could do to help them,” Morgan said, while thinking about just how hard he’s had to work to right his own errant ship.

“I can assure you that Robert Patrick has spent ten times what I have to this point,” Morgan said. “There’s no telling what Justin Humphries has spent. I feel good about where I am to this point. Am I going to give them what I’ve got? I’m not going to. I struggled to get to where I am at. I refuse to give that away. If Ford wants to pay me to build engines for those guys, then we’ll do it. I’m not telling them how to build their engines.”

Neither does Morgan feel he needs to because of the personnel running those other engine programs.

Bob Ingles, a former championship engine builder, is the horsepower broker for Patrick while NASCAR icons Roush-Yates are spearheading the Humphreys' engine program.

“Bob Ingles is more than capable and they have Carl Foltz doing their cylinder heads,” Morgan explained. “And the Roush Yates guys, they are the smartest guys in the world and have the technology at their disposal. I think they all will be just fine.”

Morgan admits his engines are making plenty of power. Just keeping everything together was his toughest challenge. The last four races for Morgan have been an admitted blessing.

“Now we can lean on them a little more,” Morgan said with a smile.

Morgan estimates another .02 quicker and he’ll be in the thick of the hunt.

“I think we’ve done a fine job for what we’ve had to spend,” Morgan said. “We just don’t have the funding to race against those like Johnny Gray who just sold his company for over a billion and he’s spent about 6 million this year. I can’t spend half of that. Give me that kind of money, put me on the same level and then give me a report card. I’m not crying about it, that’s just my situation.”

On a fraction of his competition’s budget, the Morgan train is starting to gain momentum after the early season derailment.

“I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Morgan said. “For the first three or four months, that light was the train coming.”

And while Morgan has no visions of retirement in the near future, he’s quick to point out that Ford will be his last stop on the manufacturer tour. He’s raced Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Mopar during his extensive driving career.

“This is it for me,” Morgan admitted. “Unless someone has a whole pile of money. I spent everything I had to turn this Ford deal over. It was way more than I thought. Will I survive it? I think I will but it will be tough.”