Aussie Crampton secures first NHRA Top Fuel victory
Top Fuel newcomer Richie Crampton gave his Rookie of the Year bid a giant boost Sunday by winning the 45th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Crampton beat points leader Doug Kalitta in a thrilling final round, 3.819 to 3.848, becoming just the second Australian-born pro winner in NHRA history.
"Has this really happened?" Crampton said. "I'm absolutely over the moon with this win. I already know I'm the luckiest guy in the pit and now we've proven it. This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined to go from a crew guy to standing here with a Wally (trophy) in just a few months time.
"I'm so humbled that GEICO, Lucas Oil, and Toyota showed faith in me and gave me this awesome opportunity. I'm really quite stunned at the moment."
Adding a special twist to the occasion, Crampton's father Al was on the starting line for the memorable moment. Crampton's parents are visiting from Adelaide, South Australia, primarily to help with new baby girl Emma, whom Crampton and his longtime girlfriend Stephanie Laski welcomed into the world on May 20th.