Team Morton Motorsports Ready To Dominate in 2003 -
Dobbins Reflects on 2002 Rookie of the Year
JACKSONVILLE, NC - Coming off a very impressive 2002 season, the combo team of Elijah Morton and Jeff Dobbins look to destroy the competition in IHRA Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock this season. The successful trucking business owner Morton states "We feel a lot more comfortable heading into this year. Jeff (the 2002 Rookie of the year) has his first full season behind the wheel and I now have three years of experience. Our backgrounds will now, more so than ever, combine to form a method of success unparalleled to any other out there".

 
Both of the beautiful blue Jerry Hass built race cars are currently heading to Darlington, SC for some early season testing before going into the first event of the season slatted for Feb. 27th - March 2nd at the Amalie Motor Oil Texas Nationals presented by ANCIRA in San Antonio Texas.
Both Mountain Motor 815 cu. in. John Kaase power plants have been freshened up for the new season in route to finish #1 and #2 in the IHRA World Championship. Darlington marks the spot for official preseason testing for the team Feb. 13-16th during the Darlington Dragway WinterNationals. Elijah looks to better his career best ET in Darlington and shoot for "The First To The Forty's Challenge" presented by Sunoco Race Fuels. If you will recall, Morton "laid the smack down" in Darlington just after the World Finals of last season testing recording a mind boggling 6.543!
 
Jeff Dobbins looks to scare off his competitors with his all new hide-away flames on the front end by Kevin Croom.
At the 2002 Hooters Awards Banquet held January 18th in Covington, Ky, Pro Stock standout Jeff Dobbins was named Professional

"Rookie of the Year". Although a rookie in Pro Stock,  Dobbins is no stranger to drag racing. Right from the start, at the ripe ole age of 17, Dobbins was awarded rookie of the year at the local track. The following year, he captured both the Quick 16 and the Track Championship in his first full year of competition. After years of very successful bracket racing, Dobbins decided to give Top Sportsman a try and in 1998 when the season ended and the smoke cleared, he was crowned World Champion, once again, in his first full year of competition. It appears that there may be a pattern here.
 
So now it is a little easier to understand how Dobbins was able to step into one of the toughest classes in drag racing and still achieve what he did. Dobbins explains "You know, even from the beginning, I have always had a goal to make it to Pro Stock. I knew that I would have to climb the ladder so throughout the years I never lost sight of my goal. You know, some people say that I have taken the fun out of racing because I work so hard at what I do. But, to be successful, you have to set your goals higher and work harder to get that advantage. Racing is truly what I love to do and I have a whole lot of fun doing it."
 
2002 marked the third year of competition for Dobbins with Morton Brothers Motorsports. After wrenching Elijah Morton to a Top Ten finish in his Pro Stock rookie season Dobbins was awarded the biggest prize in the game, the driving position in the teams second car.
One win, two runner-ups, one #1 qualifying position, and two DNQ's later Dobbins was still able to finish the season fourth in points. "This has been an unbelievable year for me. First, just to be involved with a team like MBM and be a team mate with Elijah is a dream come true. I have got to be one of the luckiest guys in the world for Elijah to have given me the chance.  Also, my family is the biggest supporters that I have because its what they sacrifice willingly so that I can do what I love." says Dobbins.
 
For 2003, Dobbins will return in his trusty ole 99 Ford Probe, and once again, he will have his sights set  high on that number one position. It appears that Dobbins and Morton will be in great shape for a championship run in 2003.