DALLAS (Sept. 17) - GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel driver Richie Crampton is looking forward to getting back to winning ways at the NHRA FallNationals this weekend at Texas Motorplex.
The U.S. Nationals winner stumbled in the first round last weekend in Charlotte, but Crampton hopes the second race of the Countdown to the Championship will yield better results.
"I'm sure we'll bounce back in Dallas," Crampton said. "That racetrack can be very good, so obviously we're going to try our best to qualify in the top half and get lane choice for race day. There's no reason why we can't pick up where we left off in Indy and put Charlotte behind us."
Crampton remains the leading contender for the NHRA rookie of the year award, as his U.S. Nationals victory was his second win of the season. He is the only rookie in Top Fuel to make the Countdown, and he was eighth in the points standings entering Charlotte.
Only one round was completed in Charlotte, and five drivers in the Countdown failed to reach the second round, which will be run in Dallas. Crampton and his Aaron Brooks-led team are hoping Morgan Lucas Racing teammate Morgan Lucas can knock out a few more Countdown contenders in the continuation of the Charlotte race and in the Dallas national event.
"Dallas is definitely going to be a pivotal race in the Countdown for a lot of us," Crampton said. "It's definitely one we'll have to be on point. It'll be pretty exciting."
The 2014 season has already been plenty exciting for Crampton, who scored his first career victory in Englishtown, N.J., in June, not long after he and girlfriend Stephanie Laski celebrated the birth of their first child.
"It's just been an amazing year," Crampton said. "I couldn't have wished for a better team to start my driving career with, with such great equipment and such great staff. To have the success that this team has had this season in my rookie year, it's just amazing. I'm very grateful for GEICO and Lucas Oil and Toyota giving me this opportunity. It's pretty cool."
Top Fuel qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3 and 6 p.m., Friday, and noon and 3 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations begin at 11 a.m., Sunday. ESPN2 will carry all qualifying and elimination action.
