Top-half qualifier Richie Crampton takes dead aim at Texas Top Fuel title

DALLAS – Top Fuel driver Richie Crampton will be looking for his fifth trophy of the 2015 season Sunday from the No. 6 qualifying spot after piloting his sleek Lucas Oil dragster to a competitive 3.758-second pass at 324.75 mph.

“We’re off to a good start,” Crampton said. “Aaron (Brooks, tuner) is happy and the boys are happy. We’re gaining confidence with every run. It’s been perfect weather, and this all-concrete track is one you can really pound on, so it plays to our style of racing.”

It’s been a sensational second season for the Australian-born Crampton as he has already doubled the amount of victories he carded in his inaugural campaign, which ended with him being crowned as the Auto Club Rookie of the Year. His wins in Las Vegas, Topeka, Bristol, and Brainerd prove he has a race car that can win on any given weekend.

“The thing about winning races is it makes you that much hungrier to do it again,” Crampton said. “You know, the fans see that little bit of action when we’re out there on the strip, but the real work is what happens back in the pits and home at the race shop when we’re preparing for each run. That’s when you earn your money.

“The racing part is fun, it’s what we all live for, but none of that happens without the hard work these guys put in behind the scenes. That’s why it’s so gratifying when you do win a race because we all know how much has gone into that moment. It’s not easy by any means, which is what makes it so special.”

As a top-half qualifier, Crampton will enjoy lane choice in his first-round match with No. 11 qualifier Doug Kalitta, who posted a best 1,000-foot pass of 3.796 at 324.36 mph. Crampton and Kalitta have raced twice this season with Crampton winning both times.

“We’re trying very hard to have the best finish possible in the points,” Crampton said. “That means we not only have to beat Doug but we need to be better than everyone else we face. It would help our cause tremendously to bag a few more wins before the year is out.

“It’s already been a dream season but we want more. There are three more race days on the schedule, so we have three more chances to show our stuff, starting tomorrow morning.”

Top Fuel eliminations begin at 11 a.m., Sunday. All racing action will be shown on ESPN2.