Richie Crampton is as American as the National Hot Rod Association and its red, white and blue banner. He was just born and raised in Australia.
“Land of the opportunity, mate,” Crampton said Thursday at Bandimere Speedway, host of this weekend’s 36th Mopar Mile-High Nationals. “I’m reaping the rewards of that.”
A naturalized American citizen, Crampton is in his second year driving the Lucas Oil top fuel dragster, after a seven-year stint with the team as clutch specialist and later car chief. He is the NHRA’s version of the movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” which is about a NASCAR crew member getting a chance to drive and becoming a star.
Crampton beat great odds to become a star. His direct boss is Morgan Lucas, the man he replaced in the car, and Lucas’ father is Indiana entrepreneur Forrest Lucas, who bleeds red, white and blue.
Among the family’s business empire is MAVTV, a U.S. motorsports network that touts 100 percent allegiance to the American flag. The Lucases looked past Crampton’s lineage to put him in the car, which is Lucas Oil’s second-biggest sponsorship program behind the Indianapolis Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
“We’re all about American-made products and the quality-products industry,” Morgan Lucas said. “But when it comes to Richie, the guy is everything we really wanted in a driver. He’s worked hard and sacrificed everything to put himself in position to have this opportunity. He’s a great success story and a great example for others.”
Unlike many NHRA top fuel or funny car drivers, Crampton brought no funding to get his ride. He obtained it on his merit and is eager to prove to people why the Lucases have such faith in him.
“On paper, I wasn’t bringing anything. They just knew how bad I wanted to drive and how much I had left behind in Australia — my family and everything,” said Crampton, 35. “I grew up going to all kinds of racetracks with my dad, and all I wanted to do was drive race cars.
“Reality of professional motorsport is, a lot of people don’t get to that point. From that point of view, I was completely intent to work for the Lucas family as a crew member for the rest of my working days. To have been given the opportunity by Lucas and Toyota to get into a top fuel car was absolutely the cherry on top.”
Crampton moved to the United States in 2004 at age 24 to work for an Australian top fuel team in the NHRA. The team returned home after one season, but Crampton remained in the U.S. after hooking on with a Don Schumacher Racing top fuel team driven by Colorado’s Melanie Troxel. That team disbanded after the 2006 season, with Morgan Lucas hiring Crampton and the rest of the crew.
Morgan Lucas ultimately hired Brandon Bernstein to drive his second car, and in 2013 Bernstein’s nagging back injuries forced Lucas to look for backup drivers. Crampton was among those in consideration and obtained his top fuel licence in Indianapolis that year.
“It was unknown whether I’d ever actually get to drive in competition. It was just kind of a backup plan at that point,” Crampton said. “But once again, I was completely content with what I was doing and happy I at least made that next step to get my license.”
Morgan Lucas ended up retiring from full-time duty after the 2013 season and Crampton was given his ride. Crampton still works on the car between races but doesn’t interfere with engine rebuilds between rounds — although he’s always tempted.
“Richie is a team player. He’s drinking the Lucas Oil Kool-Aid, if you will. And he’s part of the family,” Morgan Lucas said. “He was in my wedding; he was one of the groomsmen, and we’ve been friends for a long time. All that helps, but at the end of the day, he’s worked for it. He’s earned it. He’s put in the hours, he’s put in the time, and he shows the talent. Bottom line, he has the talent and his work ethic is amazing.”
Mike Chambers: mchambers @denverpost.com or
Mile-High Nationals
What: 36th annual National Hot Rod Association Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Bandimere Speedway, the 14th of 24 events this year
When: Friday through Sunday
Pro schedule: Friday qualifying at 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday qualifying at 4 and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
Tickets: 800-664-UWIN (8946) or .
TV: Saturday, 9 p.m. (ESPN2, taped); Sunday, 7 p.m. (ESPN2, taped)
Crampton file
A few accomplishments by driver Richie Crampton:
2014 NHRA top fuel rookie of the year
Won two races as a rookie, including the prestigious U.S. Nationals
Three victories this season, tied for most in top fuel with Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown
5-0 career in final rounds
Career-best elapsed time: 3.747 seconds
Career-best speed: 328.54 mph
Drivers to watch
Defending champions: J.R. Todd, top fuel; Robert Hight, funny car; Allen Johnson, pro stock, Andrew Hines, pro stock motorcycle.
Most victories: Bob Glidden, 7, pro stock; Joe Amato, 6, top fuel; John Force, 6, funny car; Allen Johnson, 6, pro stock; Warren Johnson, 5, pro stock; Matt Hines, 4, pro stock motorcycle
Track records: Top fuel — 3.823 sec. by Tony Schumacher, July 2014; 322.96 mph by Steve Torrence, July 2014; funny car — 4.049 sec. and 318.39 mph by John Force, July 2014; pro stock — 6.916 sec. by Allen Johnson, July 2012; 199.23 mph by Johnson, July 2014; PS motorcycle — 7.178 sec. and 186.72 mph by Hector Arana Jr. July 2014.
