INDIANAPOLIS – Leverich Family Racing has hired veteran drag racer Joe Morrison to pilot the team’s Top Fuel Dragster during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Morrison is a second-generation drag racer, currently licensed in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster, Nostalgia Funny Car, AA/Fuel Altered and Advanced ET.

The native of Flemington, N.J., will attempt to earn his Top Fuel license in mid-January and the team is planning a six-race schedule for 2020.

“We are extremely excited to introduce Joe Morrison as our new driver at Leverich Racing,” said team owner Gary Leverich. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, tons of driver experience and an understanding of modern motorsports marketing that, quite frankly, will help us grow as a team. More than that, Joe’s a great guy who races for the right reasons – because its fun.

“It’s our goal to bring back fun in NHRA Top Fuel racing and we look forward to starting Joe’s license upgrade process in Florida soon.”

The team, which most recently fielded a Top Fuel dragster for Smax Smith, is planning to compete at Gainesville Raceway during the Gatornationals, the Four-Wide Nationals at North Carolina’s zMAX Dragway, Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, New England Dragway in Epping, N.H., Virginia Motorsports Park and Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania.

“I can’t thank the Leverich Family enough for the honor they’ve just given me,” said Morrison. “To drive their Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA Mello Yello series next season is a dream come true. This has been a goal of mine since I was a kid attending the Summernationals at E-Town and racing with my dad in the 70’s and 80’s. When he lost his battle with COPD, I made it my mission to eventually drive the kings of the sport in his honor.

“Thanks to Bob, Gary, Dan and the entire Leverich team, I’ll have that opportunity.”