Toyota Chicagoland NHRA Preview

DEJORIA HEADS TO CHICAGO SECOND IN POINTS – After making her fourth final this year In Epping last weekend, Alexis DeJoria heads to Chicago second in the Funny Car point standings in her hunt to become Funny Car’s first female champion.  DeJoria narrowly missed becoming the first woman in NHRA history to win three Funny Car races in one season when she was defeated in the final by Ron Capps.  To date, DeJoria has two wins (Phoenix, Las Vegas), four finals, one number one qualifier and six top-five qualifying efforts in 11 races this season.  She also became the only woman in NHRA history to run over 4 seconds in a Funny Car at the season-opener in Pomona when she ran a 3.997.

CRAMPTON COMES ALIVES – It’s no surprise that Richie Crampton faced a steep learning curve at the start of the season after taking over the GEICO/Lucas Oil Toyota dragster from Morgan Lucas.  The rookie hadn’t driven a full season since coming over to the U.S. from Australia eight years ago to serve as a mechanic – most recently as the clutch specialist for the Lucas team.   After some early season struggles, Crampton has come on strong of late, winning at Englishtown in just his ninth Top Fuel start, then advancing to the semi-finals this past week in Epping.  He’s also qualified in the top three twice in the last three races on the way to climbing from 10^th to eighth in the point standings.

BROWN CLOSES IN ON ‘500’ MILESTONE – Antron Brown can become the 16^th driver in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series history to earn 500 round wins by advancing to the finals this weekend in Chicago. Brown enters the weekend with 497 round wins in his career and a 21-8 round record this season.  Over the last 40 Top Fuel races, he’s won nine races, the highest by any Top Fuel driver.