Defending Topeka winner Richie Crampton looks for more success in Kansas

TOPEKA, KS- Fresh off an impressive performance in Atlanta, Richie Crampton and his Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster team look to continue that momentum at this weekend’s NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

And Crampton has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Not only was his Morgan Lucas Racing dragster fast in Atlanta, qualifying No. 2, but he is also the defending Topeka race winner and track record-holder.

“We’re really excited they were able to get Topeka back on the schedule,” Crampton said. “There was some question on whether we’d get to go back and race there again. Obviously, going back as reigning champion is pretty neat and having the track record is a pretty cool feather in the cap, too.

“It’s exciting to have back-to-back races for me as a driver, so I think it’s going to be a good weekend in Kansas.”

Crampton beat Kyle Wurtzel, Spencer Massey, Brittany Force, and Larry Dixon last year to earn his second victory of the season. The race was delayed by rain on Sunday, with cooler temperatures later in the day and night enabling quicker elapsed times.

Crampton’s pass of 3.710 seconds against Massey set the Topeka track record.

The 2016 season hasn’t gone as Crampton and his team had planned, as the affable Australia native is still looking for his first win. He won twice in a rookie-of-the-year season in 2014 and five more times last year when he ended up third in points.

“As I’ve seen first-hand with my particular team, the commitment and the will to succeed and get back on track is there,” Crampton said. “Morale never gets down. We have a great group, and they know that it’s going to come around because (crew chief) Aaron (Brooks) is one of the best and the Lucas Oil team is one of the best teams out here, period. It’s just working through the challenges.”

Heading back to Topeka should give Crampton and his MLR team an extra boost, too.

“I believe so,” Crampton said. “It’s much better to have a good track record at a particular race when you’re struggling to climb your way back to some round-wins. Not only must the team have some decent data from that track, but it also resonates well with you just because of your success there.”

Top Fuel qualifying sessions are scheduled for 5 and 7:30 p.m., Friday, and 2 and 4:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 11 a.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air qualifying from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET, Saturday, and elimination action from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday.