BAYTOWN, Texas — Now in his second year of competing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ Top Fuel class, Richie Crampton has noticed a greater comfort level piloting his 10,000-horsepower Lucas Oil dragster.
Driving a 320-plus mph dragster will never become easy, but Crampton’s recent performances indicate just how much improvement he continues to make. The reigning rookie of the year hasn’t lost a first-round matchup through five races in 2015, winning the most recent race in Las Vegas.
It marked the third career win in Crampton’s young career and the talented driver will look to add to that at this weekend’s 28th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Royal Purple Raceway, located just east of Houston.
"It’s absolutely a lot more comfortable the second time around," Crampton said, referring to his second Top Fuel season. "I know it’s my sophomore season, but a lot of times I forget that I’m still so new to this. I’m getting more and more comfortable every week and trying to focus on doing a good job of driving that race car. I’m extremely excited with how our 2015 season is looking. (Crew chief) Aaron Brooks and the team have got a really consistent, good race car. It’s exciting to start out the year like this."
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals marks the sixth of 24 races during a 2015 season that has already seen plenty of high moments for the Australia native and naturalized U.S. citizen.
After solid second-round performances at the first three events of the season, Crampton, who claimed the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals as one of his two wins in his rookie campaign, advanced to the final foursome at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
That followed with the victory in Las Vegas, beating three-time world champion Larry Dixon in the final round to climb to fifth in points. Crampton became the fifth different winner in Top Fuel through five events, a clear indication of how tight the class continues to be.
"There is no easy side of the ladder and there are no east rounds," Crampton said. "Anyone can win in 2015, it seems like. It makes everyone dig that much deeper and try that much harder, knowing that every guy you line up against can send you home on race day. It’s an amazing amount of competition, and the level all the teams have risen to this year is unparalleled."
But an early start could be paramount for later in the season and into the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Crampton qualified for the Countdown in his rookie season, finishing ninth, but an increased comfort level could pay dividends for continued success during the season and for building momentum into the Countdown.
"As you can see, the top five in the points are bunched up by less than two rounds," Crampton said. "If you got to the U.S. Nationals at Indy with the points standings as tight as they are right now, it could make a world of difference if you start in the second, third, fourth, fifth position in points, based upon one bad round of racing earlier in the season. As close as the points are going to stay, I believe, having early momentum like this and being within striking distance of those top few positions is key to having a good Countdown."
Crampton’s second appearance at Royal Purple Raceway is what he hopes is a winning one, but he will once again face off against the top drivers in the Top Fuel class, including Brown, who earned his second career victory in Houston and also beat Crampton to claim the win at the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte this season. Other standouts include Dixon, who has three career victories at Royal Purple Raceway, eight-time and defending world champ Schumacher, Spencer Massey, Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, 2013 world champ Langdon, Steve Torrence and four-time category runner-up Brittany Force.
But Crampton has immense faith in Brooks and his team, which has already shown a penchant for getting their dragster to perform consistently and run quickly in any weather conditions.
“I believe the key to success in Houston is possibly going to be Aaron Brooks’ way of running our race car on a hot race track as of late," Crampton said. "The temperature is probably going to be fairly warm in Houston, and we may see some tricky track conditions. The key to success is going to be getting your race car to go from A to B on that hot track surface.”
In Funny Car, Hight claimed his second victory at Houston when he defeated Jack Beckman in the final round last season, while teammate and 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force, who won in Las Vegas, has seven wins in Houston, the most for any driver in a pro category, but none since 2002. Two-time world champ Tony Pedregon and his brother, two-time world champ Cruz Pedregon, have combined to win seven Houston races, while class stars also include reigning world champion Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Courtney Force, Alexis DeJoria, two-time Houston winner Del Worsham, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Tim Wilkerson.
In Pro Stock, Enders-Stevens claimed the 99th win by a female driver when she won at her home track last season, ending the season with the Pro Stock world championship. Four-time world champ Greg Anderson has two wins at Houston and is looking to continue his early season momentum. Anderson’s teammate, two-time world champ Jason Line, has also won twice at Houston, and Allen Johnson, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray, Larry Morgan Rodger Brogdon, Chris McGaha and two-time Houston winner Vincent Nobile all figure to be in the title mix in Houston.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its second stop of the 2015 season at Royal Purple Raceway. The race will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
NHRA Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, April 24, with sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, April 25, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 26.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.RoyalPurpleRaceway.com or call Royal Purple Raceway, (281) 383-7223. Tickets for children 13 and younger are free on spectator side with any paid adult ticket. For more information about NHRA, log on to www.NHRA.com.
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O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 28th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas. From Interstate 10 take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 565. Take a right on FM 565 and Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 24-26
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 24 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 6 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2 p.m.; Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 26 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES eliminations continue at 12:45 p.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 25, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 26, ESPN2 will televise three hours of live eliminations coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).
2014 WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Erica Enders-Stevens, Pro Stock.
MOST WINS: John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 6, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.772 seconds by Larry Dixon, April ’10; 328.86 mph by Steve Torrence, April ’14.
Funny Car – 4.021 seconds by John Force, April ’10; 316.08 mph by Force, April ’10.
Pro Stock – 6.539 seconds by Mike Edwards, April ’10; 212.66 mph by Edwards, April ’13.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
TICKETS: For tickets call Royal Purple Raceway at (281) 383-RACE (7223) or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 385; 2. Tony Schumacher, 375; 3. Shawn Langdon, 370; 4. Spencer Massey, 358; 5. Richie Crampton, 349; 6. Steve Torrence, 273; 7. Doug Kalitta, 272; 8. Larry Dixon, 263; 9. J.R. Todd, 261; 10. Clay Millican, 241.
Funny Car: 1. Matt Hagan, 369; 2. Del Worsham, 360; 3. Robert Hight, 323; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 316; 5. Ron Capps, 313; 6. John Force, 287; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 271; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 257; 9. John Hale, 256; 10. Jack Beckman, 249.
Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 426; 2. Erica Enders-Stevens, 391; 3. Greg Anderson, 379; 4. Rodger Brogdon, 352; 5. Chris McGaha, 338; 6. Drew Skillman, 300; 7. Vincent Nobile, 285; 8. Larry Morgan, 268; 9. Allen Johnson, 249; 10. Shane Gray, 233.
