Aussie Crampton determined to win again in remaining races
Aussie NHRA Top Fuel star Richie Crampton is determined to take another win this year, with his next chance at this weekend’s AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St Louis.
Crampton’s Countdown to the Championship took a knock at the last event in Dallas with a first-round loss, but the GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel driver knows there are four races left in which he can bounce back to the winner’s circle.
"We were disappointed with a first-round loss in Dallas, but there are still four races left to try to win," Crampton said.
"The Countdown is not over yet, and there's a lot of shuffling going on right now within the top 10. It's not over until it's over.
"I still have a huge amount of confidence in the GEICO team and (crew chief) Aaron Brooks and myself that we can win rounds if not some more races before the year is out and finish out strong.”
The Morgan Lucas racer, who is a two-time winner in his rookie season including the 60th US Nationals, heads to St Louis’ Gateway Motorsports Park this weekend ninth in the Top Fuel points standings.
The event is like a second home race for the team, with St Louis less than four hours from the team headquarters in Brownsburg, Indiana.
"It's such a close race to Indianapolis that it's almost a hometown race again," Crampton said.
"Chicago, St. Louis, and Indy are the three most frequented races by our family and friends, so it's going to be a good weekend in St. Louis."
The South Australian-born racer expects warm weather in the St. Louis area this weekend, which could make for a tricky racetrack, but knows his team is up to the task.
"It's probably going to be warm in St. Louis, so it should make for some more exciting racing," Crampton said. "We're looking forward to starting over in Gateway."
Crampton, who became the 100th NHRA Top Fuel winner in June with his maiden victory in Englishtown, New Jersey, remains the front-runner in the Rookie of the Year race in NHRA, leading all first-year drivers.
