Countdown 2018 Volume XII, Issue 3 March 20, 2018

Mello Yello Series Schedule Crampton notches first victory since 2015

REGULAR SEASON Beckman, T. Gray and Krawiec earn first victories of 2018 in Gainesville LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS Winners: Kalitta, Hagan, Butner Top Fuel pilot Richie Cramp- took down teammate Matt Ha- NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS gan in the final round. Winners: Torrence, C. Force, McGaha ton powered his Kalitta Air/DHL AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA dragster to a 3.854-second With the victory, Beckman Winners: Crampton, Beckman, T. Gray, Krawiec pass at 314.90 mph to take moves up to second in the home the uncontested final points standings. DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS round win after Shawn Reed Hagan remains atop the April 6-8 at Las Vegas had to shut off his dragster on points lead with his first runner- the starting line up finish of the year. Phoenix NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS After failing to escape the winner Courtney Force fell to April 20-22 at Houston first round in each of his first The Staging Lane third after a quarterfinal exit. NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS Tanner Gray picked up a April 27-29 at Charlotte, N.C. two races this season, Cramp- ton claimed his first victory Next Race: Denso Spark victory over defending champi- NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Na- May 4-6 at Atlanta since Dallas 2015 to make the tionals on Bo Butner in the MENARDS NHRA HEARTLAND NATIONALS leap from 15th to 6th in the When: April 6-8, 2018 finals. The Gray Motorsports May 18-20 at Topeka, Kan. points standings. Where: The Strip at Las Vegas Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro NHRA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, “This is probably one of my Nevada outran Butner with a 6.605 at May 31-June 3 at Chicago most rewarding wins, ever,” TV: FS1, April 6, qualifying, 210.34 to seal the win. NHRA VIRGINIA NATIONALS Crampton said. “All I ever want- 7:00 pm ET; FS1, April 8, qual- With the win, Gray moves up June 7-10 at Richmond, Va. ifying, 11:30 am ET; FS1, April from 11th to 7th in the stand- ed to do was stand in the win- 8, finals, 6:00 p.m. ET NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS ings, while Butner moved to the June 15-17 at Bristol, Tenn. ner’s circle with (team owner) Notable: Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Tommy Johnson Jr. SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS .” top spot after his first runner-up (), and Tanner Gray of the 2018 campaign. June 21-24 at Norwalk, Ohio Reed moved up to 12th in (Pro Stock) were winners of NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS the standings after appearing at the event in 2017. Tony Schu- Pro Stock Motorcycle began July 6-8 at Epping, N.H, his first event of the season. macher (TF) and Greg Ander- competition in Gainesville, with DODGE MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS son (PS) have a track-best defending champion Eddie Steve Torrence remained eight victories at the facility and July 20-22 at Denver atop the Top Fuel points stand- (FC) is racing to Krawiec earning the victory TOYOTA NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS ings despite a first round exit improve his class-best sixth over teammate Andrew Hines July 27-29 at Sonoma, Calif. against Mike Salinas. Antron victory at the event, while Ron in the final round. Capps currently has five wins NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS The Vance & Hines Harley- Aug. 3-5 at Seattle Brown and Clay Millican each LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS jumped three spots and now sit Davidson teammates currently Aug. 16-19 at Brainerd, Minn. second and third, respectively. dation Dodge Charger R/T to lead the points standings as CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS In Funny Car, Jack Beckman his 27th victory in the class. the class will return to action in Aug. 29-Sept. 3 powered his Infinite Hero Foun- Beckman’s 4.035 at 323.58 Charlotte.

COUNTDOWN TO THE 2018 NHRA MELLO YELLO SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS (Following third of 24 races)

DODGE NHRA NATIONALS Top Fuel Funny Car Pro Stock Pro Stock Motorcycle Sept. 13-16 at Reading, Pa. Driver Pts Driver Pts Driver Pts (First of 16 races) AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS 1.S. Torrence (1) ...... 217 1. Hagan (1) ...... 268 1. Butner (1) ...... 245 Rider Pts Sept. 21-23 at St. Louis 2. Brown ...... 210 2. Beckman (1) ...... 247 2. Line ...... 232 1. Krawiec (1) ...... 123 AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS 3. Millican ...... 204 3. C. Force (1) ...... 219 3. McGaha (1) ...... 213 2. Hines ...... 107 Oct. 4-7 at Dallas 4. Schumacher ...... 198 4. Capps ...... 218 4t. Kramer ...... 190 3. Pollacheck ...... 76 NHRA CAROLINA NATIONALS 5. Kalitta (1) ...... 182 5. Hight ...... 185 4t. Skillman ...... 190 4. Tonglet ...... 71 Oct. 12-14 at Charlotte, N.C. 6. Crampton (1) ...... 163 6. Johnson Jr...... 182 6. Anderson ...... 186 5t. Savoie ...... 53 NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS 5t. Johnson ...... 53 Oct. 25-28 at Las Vegas 7. Palmer ...... 161 7. Langdon ...... 174 7. T. Gray (1) ...... 176 AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS 8. Pritchett ...... 147 8t. Lindberg ...... 117 8. Laughlin ...... 175 7. Stoffer ...... 52 Nov. 8-11 at Pomona, Calif. 9. B. Force ...... 117 8t. Todd...... 117 9. Nobile ...... 170 8. Reed ...... 51 10. McMillen ...... 116 10. Worsham ...... 116 10. Enders ...... 166 9. Gladstone ...... 39 10. Arana Jr...... 38 NOTE: Wins in parentheses.