CONCORD, N.C. – Richie Crampton is well aware of what driving for drag racing icon and long-time team owner Connie Kalitta means within the scope of the sport.
It could mean even more by the end of this weekend’s NGK Spark Plugs NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, as Crampton and the rest of Kalitta Motorsports takes aim at helping their leader cross the century threshold in NHRA victories.
Kalitta enters the second and final four-lane event of the year with 98 career national event wins as an owner, spread between the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes, and Crampton would love nothing more than to be the driver to deliver the 100th win for his boss at the end of final eliminations on Sunday.
Considering that the Top Fuel final is the last event of the weekend at zMAX Dragway, that scenario is a distinct possibility, should a Kalitta-owned Funny Car turn on the win light just before the Top Fuel quad.
“We’re two races away from (scoring) 100 (national) event wins for Connie, so that’s pretty exciting,” said Crampton. “All of us drivers in the company want to be the one that gives him No. 100 … we’ve been arguing about it in the shop as to who it might be,” he joked.
“It’s just a good time to be driving for Kalitta Motorsports and I’m just real blessed to be a part of it. We’re just trying to keep (the momentum) up for Connie. With him in your corner, it gives you a little extra spring in your step and driving for him is just a dream come true. There’s parts about it that I just can’t describe how special it is.”
Crampton returned to NHRA drag racing last fall during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, when he took over the seat of the SealMaster dragster that Troy Coughlin Jr. piloted during the regular season.
The Australian’s move to Kalitta Motorsports ended a half-year hiatus sparked after Crampton lost his ride at Morgan Lucas Racing, which closed its doors at the end of the 2016 season.
It was a sweet moment for Crampton, who was worried he might never get another opportunity at the professional level.
“There were times when I was sitting at home where I wondered if the phone was going to ring and another opportunity was going to come,” admitted Crampton. “It was a pretty exciting and surreal feeling, honestly. I’d been hoping for a phone call for eight or nine months, and it never happened … and I’d basically come to terms with the reality that it might never happen.
“Then I got the call from Jim Oberhofer, Chad Head and everyone at Kalitta … and there I was, getting an opportunity from one of the greats of our sport. It’s like a NASCAR kid getting a call from Rick Hendrick and going to drive over there. It’s amazing and also slightly intimidating, all rolled into one. But I knew I had to go do my job and enjoy it. Now, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
