HOUSTON (April 21) - GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster driver Richie Crampton is doing all he can to be the best he can be for his Morgan Lucas Racing team. This week, before heading to the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals, that included a first-time visit with an eye doctor.
"I decided it would be a good idea to have them checked," Crampton said. "It falls in line with all the other stuff that (team owner) Morgan (Lucas) has me working on to try to get better in general. That includes seeing a nutritionist and working out and all that.
"I train hard with PitFit (Training) to work on my physical fitness, and it's an attempt to be better in any possible way to do the best job."
Crampton, racing his first season in the GEICO/Top Fuel dragster, said his eyes were 20/20, so his vision will not be an issue when he races in Houston for the first time.
Crampton won his first professional round at the season-opener in Pomona, Calif., but he hasn't been able to build on that initial success. Recently, the team moved some weight around in the MLR chassis to mimic the balance achieved when Lucas won races a year ago.
"We put 20 pounds of weight right around the driver compartment," Crampton said. "Putting the weight there is one of the options we have. We have the ability to put it wherever we like, so we put it there with the idea of trying to simulate having Morgan still in the race car."
Crampton believes sustained success for the team is close at hand because crew chief Aaron Brooks leads a first-class organization.
"I think we can do well in Houston," Crampton said. "We know we don't have to do a lot of different things to show the potential of this team. It's just a matter of time that we start going rounds like we're supposed to. It should be a big turnaround once things start going our way.
"Winning rounds and hopefully an event victory are in our sights. That's our biggest goal right now. When Brooks and this team get everything running the way we can, it's a great race car. We have a competitive car and a competitive team, and it's just a matter of time until that potential shows."
Professional qualifying sessions are scheduled to begin at 4 and 6:30 p.m., Friday, and 12:30 and 3 p.m., Saturday. Pro Stock eliminations start at noon, Sunday. ESPN2 will carry a qualifying package from 5 to 7 p.m. CT, Saturday, and eliminations from 6 to 9 p.m. CT, Saturday. Live timing results can be attained at NHRA.com.
