Story by: Langley Austin ~ langley@RACE22.com

Ruckersville, VA(January 18, 2009) -- Philip Morris ... There used to be a time when that name was only synonymous with the Tobacco company, but today, Philip Morris is the name that strikes fear into every Late Model Stock Car racer in the SouthEast.

Sure, most racers laugh it off and will tell you they aren't scared of the veteran driver who has owned the last decade of racing at Motor Mile Speedway as well as much of it at South Boston Speedway. Morris' reputation however precedes him and now when the white and orange #26, Clarence's SteakHouse car pulls through the gate of any race track, the competition trembles.

Morris was a force in Late Model Stock Car racing before, but now behind the wheel of the divisions most famous car driven before by some of the most legendary names of Late Model Stock Car racing. Morris has since added to that legend claiming championship after championship at Motor Mile Speedway as well as a pair of Virginia State Championships, a NASCAR Regional Championship or two(or ten) and this past season adding his third NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Championship in the last four years.

When the green flag flew on the 2009 season for competitors of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, Late Model Stock Cars at South Boston Speedway, it was Morris who opened up the season with a victory. A few weeks later as his quest for his fifth straight Motor Mile track title began and as the South Boston opener ended, so did the opener on the Radford, VA oval. Morris was in victory lane, dominating the season's first race as he qualified on the pole and led every lap holding off his two decade long rivals, Chad Harris and Frank Deiny.

The finish of that race would be a preview of things to come as Morris, Harris and Deiny along with youngster, Brandon Dean would be the four guys battling for the season long championship. Morris' first three races saw the veteran pick up where he had left off from season's past as he took home the pole and the win in all three. However the season Morris was used to having with double digit wins would be tougher than maybe even the veteran had anticipated and turned into what might have been the best season on the 4/10 mile speed plant.

Morris' first defeat came in the seasons fourth night during the second leg of twin races, when he started fifth after winning the first race and despite strong challenges was unable to wrestle the lead away from emerging star, Tommy Lemons, Jr. The veteran returned to victory lane in the next start on May 30th, but it was following this race that led to something the multi-time track champion wasn't used to ... a drought. While Lemons won the next two races it was his rivals Harris and Deiny who came to play during Morris' losing streak.

Morris would finish second, 19th, eighth, second, seventh, fourth, third and seventh before Morris got an opportunity to put himself back in victory lane. While his foe, Deiny had already picked up a win two weeks earlier, he was looking to put himself in the drivers seat against a struggling Morris, but as the laps clicked off it was Morris on his bumper for the races final laps. Deiny looked to be untouchable as he led the races final laps and maybe this was a sign of Morris missing his mark this season, but in an instant in turn four Morris went from behind to along side Deiny.

Morris beat his rival to the start finish line, he put himself in a position to steal the win away and end what might have been the longest losing streak of the decade for the veteran driver and did. Deiny wasn't happy, Morris had just hit him to get along side and eventual beat him, the two exchanges pleasantries and Deiny vowed revenge. However it was Morris, who in the end got what he had came for a week later winning the second of the twin races and just two races late with a third and second place finish Morris drove off into the sunset to win his fifth straight Motor Mile Speedway title.

It was the culmination of a decade of dominance as it was his fifth straight Motor Mile title, seventh career Motor Mile championship, tenth Late Model Stock Car championship, second Virginia State Title and third NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Title. Philip Morris hasn't just been at the top of his game over the last decade, he's owned it, held it in his hand and crushed the competition, he's the face of Late Model Stock Car racing and his stats back it up.

Morris' 2009 Motor Mile Season at a Glance:

Date ................ Laps .......... Start/Finish
4/4/09 .......... 150-laps ........... 1st/1st
4/18/09 ........ 150-laps ........... 1st/1st
5/2/09 ........... 75-laps ............ 1st/1st
5/2/09 ........... 75-laps ............ 5th/2nd
5/30/09 ........ 150-laps ........... 2nd/1st
6/6/09 .......... 150-laps ........... 4th/2nd
6/13/09 ........ 150-laps ........... 4th/19th
6/27/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 2nd/8th
6/27/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 8th/2nd
7/11/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 2nd/7th
7/11/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 3rd/4th
7/18/09 ........ 150-laps ........... 5th/3rd
7/25/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 4th/7th
8/8/09 .......... 150-laps ........... 3rd/1st
8/15/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 2nd/2nd
8/15/09 .......... 75-laps ........... 1st/1st
8/29/09 ........ 150-laps ........... 5th/3rd
9/12/09 ........ 150-laps ........... 5th/2nd

Average Start - 3.22 Average Finish - 3.72

Morris' Quick Stats 2009:

~Motor Mile Speedway Champion
~Virginia State NASCAR Champion
~NASCAR Whelen Series National Champion
~Wins: Six(6)
~Poles: Four(4)

*Morris also had three wins at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, VA & between Motor Mile and South Boston won seven of his first nine starts this year.

*Morris also had one of his longest winless streaks, going without a win from May 30th to August 8th, which included 11 starts between Motor Mile(8) and South Boston Speedway(3)