Top Fuel rookie Richie Crampton leads qualifying

Published Apr. 25, 2014 11:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) Top Fuel rookie Richie Crampton led qualifying Friday in the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway.

Making his sixth career Top Fuel start, Crampton had a 3.807-second run at 322.11 mph.

''It's still surreal that I get to do this,'' said Crampton, who replaced team owner Morgan Lucas in the car. ''It's a tribute to (crew chief) Aaron Brooks and this team. We've been working hard this season and haven't quite qualified the way we like to. To get into the No. 1 spot tonight was just a payoff for all that hard work.''

Del Worsham led the Funny Car field, and Allen Johnson took the Pro Stock lead.

Worsham had a 4.051 at 314.68 in a Toyota Camry. The 2011 Top Fuel series champion has three career wins at Royal Purple Raceway - two in Funny Car and one in Top Fuel.

Johnson, the 2012 Pro Stock champion, had a 6.555 at 211.63 in a Dodge Dart. He won this season in Chandler, Ariz., and Gainesville, Fla.