Team owner John Force got his first win of the season after his teams moved to Chevrolet.  (Ron Lewis photo)

NHRA pros at Las Vegas

Force and Crampton get first 2015 wins; Enders-Stevens doubles up again

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis and Dave Stoltz

John Force raced to the Funny Car victory Sunday, April 12, in his Peak Antifreeze Chevy Camaro at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was his first win this year.

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) also were winners at the fifth of 24 events of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

TOP FUEL

Richie Crampton, 2014 Rookie of the Year, beat Larry Dixon for his first win of 2015.  (Dave Stoltz photo)

Richie Crampton secured his first victory of the season after winning at least one round in the previous four races as well as qualifying in the top half in each race to start the year for Morgan Lucas Racing.

"It's huge," Crampton said. "Obviously, we want to win right out of the gate, but that hasn't always been the case for MLR. To win in the fifth event and to go to the final at the Four-Wide Nationals, we're gathering some good momentum."

Crampton reached the final round in Charlotte two weeks ago, but NHRA doesn't count that as an official final-round appearance. That means Crampton is a perfect 3 for 3 in finals, including victories in Englishtown, N.J., and Indianapolis in his rookie season.

On Sunday, Crampton beat Troy Buff, Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd, and Larry Dixon to secure the win.

"It's a huge boost for the entire team," Crampton said. "We've got a great hot-track race car, and we all know how well (crew chief) Aaron (Brooks) can run when the weather is cool. He's just phenomenal right now and one of the best around. I'm extremely lucky to get to drive such great equipment."

Crampton got the jump on past Top Fuel champion Dixon in the final with a .070 light, and as Dixon spun the tires in a 4.446-second run at 201.73 mph, Crampton sped to the win light with a 4.906 at 301.33 mph.

Crampton was joined in the winner's circle by Funny Car winner John Force.

"It was a great day, and I'm lucky to share it with Force, a Lucas Oil teammate," Crampton said. "That's pretty good company to be in."