NHRA pros at Bristol, Tenn.

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Chris Haverly

Matt Hagan won at his home track in Funny Car for the first time in his career Sunday, June 21, at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) were also winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

TOP FUEL

Richie Crampton made a string of 3.8-second passes in 90-degree weather in east Tennessee, driving by Top Fuel's best to secure his third victory of 2015, the fifth of his young career and his first in Bristol.

He knocked off past Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon in the final round for the third time this season. Dixon has had success on Father's Day in the past, but this was Crampton's day.

Crampton had a bit of a secret weapon Sunday: Daughter Emma came to the track with Crampton's partner Stephanie Laski and was around to celebrate in a soggy winner's circle.

"It's huge to win at this historic racetrack," Crampton said. "This has always been one of my favorite racetracks to come to as a crewmember and now as a driver. In all honesty, it's never been that good to Morgan Lucas Racing. We've struggled here in the past with Morgan, so to get a win here and turn all that around is just huge."