A strong qualifying performance had Richie Crampton and the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster ready to capture their second win of the 2019 Countdown. The team blasted to the No. 4 qualifying spot and was in prime position to go rounds on Sunday. Unfortunately persistent rain showers cancelled racing yesterday and the race was contested today at zMAX Dragway.
Crampton and his DHL dragster had lane choice and a strong tune up against rookie Austin Prock. The first round race was one of the most competitive of race day but Crampton came up on the wrong side of a close race. Both dragsters launched hard and crossed the finish line practically welded together with Crampton’s 3.735 second pass at 327. 11 mph just behind Prock’s 3.723 second, 329.02 mph run.
“That was a close, close race. You look at the incremental times and we were right there with him,” said Crampton. “They stepped up in the first round and so did we. That was a just a great drag race that didn’t go our way. The biggest plus for this DHL team is we are running really well and we have three races left to go after this championship.”
Quotable:
Richie Crampton on heading to Dallas: “We made a lot of quick runs in Charlotte and I think we can keep that up at the Texas Motorplex. The weather should be good and Connie has a great handle on this tune-up. I am excited to get back to the track and start moving up the points.”
Statistics:
Qualified: No. 4 (3.732 sec., 329.50 mph)
Bonus points: +2 (2nd quickest of Q2)
Race Details:
First Round
Driver Qual R/T ET MPH
Richie Crampton 4 .072 3.735 327.11
Austin Prock 13 .056 3.723 329.02 (W)
Team Kalitta PR
