Placing third in the 2015 NHRA Top Fuel standings with five race wins, Richie Crampton is a force to be reckoned with for the championship in 2016.
The 35-year-old Australian enters his third year of Top Fuel competition in 2016. Though he has won events in each of his first two seasons, he will be aiming for his first Winternationals victory at this weekend’s season opener.
“Every time I get to put on my firesuit and compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, it's what I wanted my whole life,” said Crampton. “It's still huge for me to be able to drive for such a good team and compete with the best Top Fuel drivers in the world. The fact that I've staked my claim in the top five Top Fuel teams is what I've always wanted. It's fantastic.”
Racing for Morgan Lucas Racing, Crampton has made huge steps in his first two seasons, becoming the 100th different winner in Top Fuel in 2014, and then finishing third in the points the year after.
“It created a huge amount of excitement and really boosted our confidence even more,” Crampton said. “This team is capable of doing that, so it was great to execute and finish No. 3 and mix it up with the best in the world.
"It was a very busy but very fun off-season. Spirits were high and morale is up. Everyone went over their given area of the car, massaging on it here and there. The confidence we have in knowing we have a really competitive race car and package made for a pretty exciting winter.”
The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will kick off this weekend with the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, with qualifying airing at 10:30 p.m. ET Friday on FS1 and 1 a.m. ET Sunday on FS1. LIVE racing will be shown beginning 5 p.m. ET Sunday on FS1.
"We're going to focus on every little part of the car, and I'm going to try to continue to learn and ask questions and grow as a driver,” added Crampton. “I think our 2016 season is going to be fruitful, given the team I have and the confidence I have carrying with me into the year."
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