(Ron Lewis photo)

Larry Morgan  (James Drew photo)

After a weekend that wasn't going the way Lucas Oil/MAVTV driver Larry Morgan wanted, the overcast skies Sunday at Auto Club Raceway really turned his luck around.  
  
After qualifying No. 15 for the Circle K Winternationals, Morgan's Ford Mustang faced off against No. 2 qualifier Allen Johnson's Dodge Avenger in the first round. But with a reaction time of .010 seconds, Morgan's 6.568-second pass at 209.65 mph was good enough to hold off Johnson's 6.567-second pass at 211.36 mph for a first-round, holeshot victory. 

"Anytime you can beat the guys that continually do well feels good," Morgan said. "Allen Johnson is a tough guy and he's a tough competitor. That team has their act together. When you beat someone like that it really puts a shot in your team's arm, that's for sure." 

The second round, though, wasn't as forgiving to Morgan, who made a pass of 6.572 seconds at 209.85 mph, falling to Shane Gray's 6.533-second pass at 211.99 mph. 

Vincent Nobile (near lane) defeated 2013 Pro Stock champ, Jeg Coughlin Jr., in the second round 6.534 at 212.06 to 6.568 at 211.30 mph. Nobile lost a squeaker to V Gaines in the semifinals. Gaines ran 6.544/212.06 while Nobile ran a close 6.541/211.30.  (Tim Marshall photo)