Philip Morris was officially crowned as the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion on Wednesday for the fifth time in his illustrious career.
The 53-year-old from Ruckersville, North Carolina, who has been called the “King of Late Model Stock Car Racing” for his accolades during the years ties only Larry Phillips for having the most NWAAS national championships. The veteran racer was thrilled to pick up another national championship.
“It means that much,” Morris said in an interview posted on NASCAR Home Tracks. “It’s as if we were winning our first national championship.”
Morris was also honored to tie Phillips’ record, saying he gained a greater appreciation for what Larry Phillips accomplished during his career.
I just have a much bigger appreciation for what was accomplished,” said Morris after his time away from chasing the national crown. “Plus, I get to be mentioned in the same sentence as Larry Philips. That’s always a good thing. I don’t think I deserve it, but I think it’s amazing. That guy is a legend. I’m just glad to be in his company.”
Philip Morris began his quest for a fifth national championship with a victory at Southern National Motorsports Park back in March. He went on to win 22 more races during the regular season with victories at Dominion Raceway, Langley Speedway and South Boston Speedway.
“We worked so hard for every point,” Morris said. “That’s just the veteran side of me, where I’ve been in tight battles where we had a lead before and saw it close up at the end. Maybe we worked harder because of what I learned in the past.”
Morris had stepped back in recent years but roared back into the weekly spotlight last season. After the success he had with Forrest Reynolds, he decided to pursue the national championship in 2018.
“I didn’t realize the price I’d have to pay, not just on the national level, but just to be competitive at our local track,” Morris said. “It was so much more work to get back to being competitive physically and mentally and the equipment. Keeping up with the tires and track surfaces and engines — it was like I was starting over. I’m not going to say I took it for granted. But I didn’t realize how important it was for me to continue.”
Peyton Sellers, who won the championship at South Boston Speedway, finished fourth in national standings. Other Late Model Stock Car drivers who finished in the top-25 include Justin Milliken (13th), Thomas Scott (20th), Sam Yarbrough (22nd), Kres VanDyke (23rd) and Zeke Shell (25th).
Morris will be honored for his triumph along with other NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state and track champions at NASCAR Awards Charlotte on Friday, December 7th.
