ST. LOUIS (Sept. 24) - The Countdown to the Championship hasn't started the way U.S. Nationals champion Richie Crampton wanted, but the GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel driver knows there is plenty of time left in the 2014 season to do some more damage.

Crampton, a two-time winner in his rookie season, enters the NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park ninth in the Top Fuel points standings, but four races remain for Crampton and the Morgan Lucas Racing team to make up some ground.

"We were disappointed with a first-round loss in Dallas, but there are still four races left to try to win," Crampton said. "The Countdown is not over yet, and there's a lot of shuffling going on right now within the top 10. It's not over until it's over."

Crampton remains the front-runner in the rookie of the year race in NHRA, leading all first-year drivers with two victories. The 34-year-old native of Adelaide, Australia, stepped into the MLR dragster when Morgan Lucas decided to forgo a full-time schedule this season, and Crampton has done a superb job.

"I still have a huge amount of confidence in the GEICO team and (crew chief) Aaron Brooks and myself that we can win rounds," Crampton said, "if not some more races before the year is out and finish out strong."

Crampton and his MLR crewmates look forward to seeing family and friends this weekend, as Gateway is less than four hours from team headquarters in Brownsburg, Ind.

"It's such a close race to Indianapolis that it's almost a hometown race again," Crampton said. "Chicago, St. Louis, and Indy are the three most frequented races by our family and friends, so it's going to be a good weekend in St. Louis."

Crampton expects warm weather in the St. Louis area this weekend, which could make for a tricky racetrack, but Crampton knows his team is up to the task.

"It's probably going to be warm in St. Louis, so it should make for some more exciting racing," Crampton said. "We're looking forward to starting over in Gateway."

Top Fuel qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:30 and 6 p.m., Friday, and 2 and 4:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations begin at 11 a.m., Sunday. ESPN2 will carry all qualifying and elimination action.