Lane Morgan: Winning BIG in Junior Dragsters

This week’s DragChamp Jr. Racer Spotlight is all about recent BMP Junior Jam $10K and $5K winner, Lane Morgan.

ANGIER, NC- Lane Morgan has been tearing up racetracks in his Junior Dragster for the past six years and has been able to really create a name for himself within the Jr Drag Racing world. He got his start back in 2016, when he was just 7-years old after being introduced to the sport of drag racing by his cousins, Kimberly and Kristy Messer.

Lane currently competes in the Advanced Junior Dragster class at NHRA Events and his home track is Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, North Carolina. His extensive list of racing accomplishments prove just how fierce he is on the track. Some of his most notable accomplishments include, 9 Wallys from NHRA Division 2 events, multiple PDRA wins and his most recent Brainerd Motorsports Park Junior Jam double-up when he scored a $10K and $5K win. See the full list below!

Current Race Car

His Junior Dragster is a 2021 Mike Bos, and this will be his second year driving it. It has a 7.90 TRS Racing Engine onboard. Lane considers this car his favorite race car ever because he is able to see very well out of it.

Outside of Racing

Outside of bracket racing, Lane enjoys playing golf, fishing, and hunting. His favorite food is tacos and he enjoys spending time scrolling through social media, such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. Lane is also an A/B Honor Roll student at McGee’s Crossroads Middle School in Benson, North Carolina.

Lane’s Accomplishments

NHRA Division 2- 9 Wallys

• September 2018 Natty Open Div. 2 10-12 Winner at Carolina Dragway in Aiken, SC
• June 2019 Jr. Dragster Summer Sizzler 10-13 Winner at Rockingham Dragway in Marston, NC
• February 2020 Lucas Oil Div. 2 10-12 Winner at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, GA
• June 2020 Natty Open 10-12 Winner at Mooresville Dragway in Mooresville, NC
• June 2020 Lucas Oil Div. 2 10-12 Winner at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• June 2021 All Run Bracket Wally Race Winner at Mooresville Dragway in Mooresville, NC
• August 2021 Lucas Oil Div. 2 10-12 Winner at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• August 2021Natty Open Div. 2 10-12 Winner at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• October 2021 Natty Open Div. 2 10-12 Winner at Rockingham Dragway in Marston, NC

PDRA Accomplishments

• 2019 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster 4^th place points finisher
• 2019 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster Fall Nationals Winner at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 2020 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster 2^nd place points finisher
• 2020 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster Driver of the Year
• 2020 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster #1 Qualifier East Coast Nationals at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• 2020 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster #1 Qualifier Carolina Showdown at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 2020 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster Winner Mid-Atlantic Showdown at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, VA

Other Race Accomplishments

2017

• First Win: 6/10/2017 at Coastal Plains Dragway
• 1 Runner-up at Rockingham Dragway in Marston, NC
• 1 Race Win at Carolina Dragway in Aiken, SC

2018

• 3 Runner-ups at Rockingham Dragway in Marston, NC
• 1 Race Win at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 6 Runner-ups at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• Valentines Classic Jr. Dragster Race Winner at Coastal Plains Dragway in Jacksonville, NC
• Voted as “The Most Improved Driver” at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC

2019

• Doubled-up at the 5^th Annual New Year’s Nationals at Palm Beach International Dragway in Jupiter, FL
• Voted “Most likely to go Pro” and Race Winner at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 1 Race Win & 1 Runner-up at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• 1 Runner-up at the Halloween Jr Shootout Race at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• Galot Motorsports Park 4th Place Points Finisher
• Doubled-up for 2 Ironmen at the Summit Sportsman Spectacular at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 33^rd Annual Thanksgiving Classic Jr. Dragster Race Winner at Coastal Plains Dragway in Jacksonville, NC

2020

• Kids 4 Kids Race 32 Car Shootout Winner at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 1 Runner-up at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, SC
• 34^th Annual Thanksgiving Classic Jr. Dragster Race Winner at Coastal Plains Dragway in Jacksonville, NC
• Thanksgiving Classic 10-12 Runner-up at Brainerd Motorsports Park in Ringgold, GA

2021

• 1 Race Win at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• 2 Runner-ups at Mooresville Dragway in Mooresville, NC
• 1 Race Win in pit vehicle race, and 1 runner up in pit vehicle race at Mooresville Dragway in Mooresville, NC

2022 So far…

• Gamblers Race Win at Galot Motorsports Park in Benson, NC
• Doubled-up at the Junior Jam at Brainerd Motorsports Park in Ringgold, GA with a 10k and 5k win

Lane’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

I would like to win ECF one time.

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success? 

Mom, Papa, Nanny, Kimberly, Uncle Ricky, Aunt Amy, Lesley, Dustin, Logan, and Dad

Tell us what you do for a living?

Student

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?

I have 2 main sponsors: D & T Enterprises INC in North Carolina and Hubbard Heating & Cooling in South Carolina. 

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

There is not really anyone I hate to see because you have to race someone and I like a challenge.

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

Make sure you are making the right decisions.

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?

I just take a deep breath and focus.

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

Racing and hanging out with friends and family

Are you superstitious?  If so, what are they?

Yes I am very superstitious, me and Mom do the same thing everytime before starting the car and on the line.

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I like winning but sometimes losing teaching something.

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

I like both.

What motivates you to continue racing?

Challenging myself to do better each time.

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like?  Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

Same as it does now maybe traveling a litter more.

How often do you use a practice tree?

I practice on the tree every night.

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?

I like hanging out with a crowd.

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most? 

Mom, Papa, Nanny, Kimberly, Uncle Ricky, Aunt Amy, Lesley, Dustin, Logan, Dad and all my racing friends

What is a piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring racer?

Don’t give up just because you aren’t turning on win lights.

For more DragChamp Jr. Spotlights, click here.