Pomona, California (February 8, 2016) - As Lucas Oil driver Richie Crampton begins his third season behind the wheel of the Morgan Lucas Racing Top Fuel dragster, he has plenty of reasons to be optimistic and excited.
Crampton is coming off a big 2015 season in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, winning five times and finishing third in the Top Fuel points standings. The 2016 season kicks off this weekend with the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
"It created a huge amount of excitement and really boosted our confidence even more," Crampton said of his 2015 campaign. "This team is capable of doing that, so it was great to execute and finish No. 3 and mix it up with the best in the world."
However, Crampton, crew chief Aaron Brooks, and the entire MLR team are not satisfied. The No. 3 on the wing of the Lucas Oil dragster is nice, but the No. 1 would be better, so their focus during the offseason -- and for 2016 -- was simple: continue to improve day by day.
"It's just continued improvement," Crampton said. "We're going to focus on every little part of the car, and I'm going to try to continue to learn and ask questions and grow as a driver. I think our 2016 season is going to be fruitful, given the team I have and the confidence I'm carrying with me into the year.
"It was a very busy but very fun offseason. Spirits were high and morale is up. Everyone went over their given area of the car and massaging on it here and there. The confidence we have in knowing we have a really competitive race car and package made for a pretty exciting winter."
And it will make for an exciting 2016, but every weekend is exciting for Crampton. Four years ago, he was working on Morgan Lucas' dragster, hoping to land a seat in one of the 10,000-horsepower dragsters. He moved from Australia in 2002 to pursue his dream of driving a Top Fuel car, landing a job at MLR in 2007.
Lucas decided to retire from full-time competition for the 2014 season, and the team hired Crampton.
"Every time I get to put on my firesuit and compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, it's what I wanted my whole life," Crampton said. "It's still huge for me to be able to drive for such a good team and compete with the best Top Fuel drivers in the world. The fact that I've staked my claim in the top five Top Fuel teams is what I've always wanted. It's fantastic.
"I've almost a little bit of the first-time jitters back. I'm anxious to get it going and get that first event underway and put some runs on the board. That's the feeling right now."
Top Fuel qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and eliminations will begin at 11 a.m., Sunday. Qualifying action will be broadcast at 10:30 p.m. ET, Friday, and 1 a.m., Sunday, on FOX Sports 1, with eliminations broadcast live at 5 p.m., Sunday.
