ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Richie Crampton raced to his first career Top Fuel victory Sunday in the NHRA Summernationals to become the 100th category winner in NHRA history.
Crampton, the Australian making his ninth career start, powered his Morgan Lucas Racing-owned dragster to a 3.819-second pass at 320.51 mph to beat points leader Doug Kalitta at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
“This is all surreal right now,” Crampton said. “I’m really just living the dream. I know that sounds cliche, but I’m just lucky to be in the position I’m at in my personal life and my career.”
Cruz Pedregon won in Funny Car, Jeg Coughlin in Pro Stock and Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Pedregon was the class of the Funny Car field all weekend, going from No. 1 qualifier to the race victory with a 4.126 at 301.33 in his Toyota Camry over Del Worsham. Pedregon won for the first time this season to push his career total to 35.
Coughlin race to his second Pro Stock victory of the season and 58th overall, beating Greg Anderson in the final round. Coughlin, the defending and five-time season champion, has reached the final in the last three events, also winning in Georgia and finishing second last weekend in Kansas.
Hines beat Harley-Davidson teammate Eddie Krawiec in the Pro Stock Motorcycle final for his second victory of the year and 34th overall.
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