Cruz Pedregon (Richard Muir photo)

Crampton and Cruz break through

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Richard Muir and Ron Lewis

Drivers and tuners battled an uncooperative racing surface at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, at the 45th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals. Traction was a problem for most of the competitors.

(Richard Muir photo)

TOP FUEL

Top Fuel newcomer Richie Crampton gave his Rookie of the Year bid a giant boost Sunday, June 1. 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.”

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.