POMONA, California November 10, 2014 - Rookie driver Richie Crampton brings his two-time winning GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster to the birthplace of drag racing for the final race of the 2014 season with one goal in mind: Making a little more history at the season-ending 50th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.
Crampton already has shown a propensity for shining brightest at the perfect time. His impressive first year includes victories at the prestigious 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the 45th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, which made him the 100th different winner in Top Fuel class history.
"With this being the 50th annual Finals, it would be another sweet one to win, for sure," Crampton said. "This year has already exceeded all my dreams and hopes, but it would be a perfect finish for the team to get one more at such a landmark race.
"It's bittersweet coming back to Pomona knowing the season is over because I don't want it to end. I've had so much fun driving this car and spending all my time with a group of guys I can honestly say are my best friends in the world. At the same time, a break with my two girls (girlfriend Stephanie Laski and their baby Emma) will be very nice. I think we've all earned some downtime."
Just as it happened at six other races this year, Crampton will be joined in the GEICO/Lucas Oil pit by teammate and car owner Morgan Lucas, who won as recently as the Brainerd (Minn.) race in August.
"For whatever reason we seem to have better results when Morgan is around," Crampton said. "That Lucas Oil/GEICO dragster team has its own part-time crew, but we all kind of jump in and help on both cars whenever they've raced with us. It's actually a lot of fun, and the extra work tends to keep everyone a little more focused.
"Our own dragster has been back on an upswing in the performance department lately, so between that and Morgan coming back to drive we are set to have a great weekend."
The final race of the year also serves as the last chance for Crampton to impress the voters for the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, which annually goes to the top rookie in the sport.
"Of course we'd love to bring home that very special award as you only get one chance at it," Crampton said. "It's been a real honor just to be considered, and I hope our two wins, especially the one at Indy, got the votes we needed. My congratulations to all the other rookie drivers as well. I'm sure they've had as much fun as I have in this crazy sport."
Top Fuel qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Eliminations begin at 11 a.m., Sunday. ESPN2 will carry qualifying and elimination action.
