CRAFTSMAN® named primary sponsor for Crampton’s Top Fuel dragster beginning in Indianapolis

SONOMA, Calif. (July 28, 2018) – Kalitta Motorsports is pleased to announce that CRAFTSMAN®, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, will be the primary sponsor on Richie Crampton’s Top Fuel dragster starting at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and continuing through the balance of the season. 

“I am very excited to represent an iconic brand like CRAFTSMAN as we finish out the NHRA season,”said Crampton.“TheCRAFTSMAN identity is built on quality-made high-performance products and we look forward to bringing that same mentality to the race track delivering success to the CRAFTSMANbrand.” 

Crampton will begin campaigning the CRAFTSMAN colors at the historic U.S. Nationals, a race he claimed in his Rookie of the Year season in 2014. The eight-time event winner has already earned a victory in his first full season with Kalitta Motorsports at the Gatornationals in Gainesville in early March. The Australian-native is ninth in the point standings and currently holds down a spot in the Countdown for the Championship field. 

“CRAFTSMAN is a brand built on pride. We are proud of this new partnership, and look forward to seeing Richie behind the wheel of the CRAFTSMAN Top Fuel dragster,” said Allison Nicolaidis, Chief Marketing Officer for Global Tools & Storageat Stanley Black & Decker. “We’re excited to partner with Richie and the Kalitta Motorsports team as we introduce new CRAFTSMAN products that can be relied on by generations to come.”

CRAFTSMAN is a new member to the Stanley Black & Decker family. The nearly century old brand has been consistently connected with reliable tools for home renovators, home builders, auto enthusiasts and master mechanics. CRAFTSMAN tools are tested in real world situations and are built to exceed expectations.  

“We are thrilled to welcome the CRAFTSMAN brand to the Team Kalitta family,” said Rachel DeLago, General Manager, Kalitta Motorsports. “We have enjoyed a long-standing and successful relationship with Stanley Black & Decker, and we are proud to partner with them to bring CRAFTSMAN to the NHRA fanbase. Richie is proven driver and will be a great ambassador for CRAFTSMAN.”

The CRAFTSMAN Top Fuel dragster makes its debut in qualifying for the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Friday, August 31st. The black-and-red scheme will then be campaigned at all six Countdown for the Championship events in Reading, Penn., St. Louis, Dallas, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Pomona, Calif.  

 About CRAFTSMAN:

CRAFTSMAN is the American icon that homeowners, home builders, auto enthusiasts and master mechanics have trusted since 1927 –and today’s CRAFTSMAN continues that legacy. With a focus on reliable, high-performance tools, storage and equipment, CRAFTSMAN has revived its long-established pride in superior quality. Now it’s easier than ever to get the tools trusted for generations at more places than ever. For more information visit www.craftsman.com or follow CRAFTSMAN on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

AboutKalitta Motorsports:

Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team was founded and is owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. For more than 50 years, Connie has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and an owner. Kalitta Motorsports is one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing with six world championships and over 100 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Team Kalitta fields four full-time entries in the NHRA Mello Yello nitro classes. Connie Kalitta’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster while former Rookie of the Year winner Richie Crampton drives the CraftsmanTop Fuel dragster. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd is the driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car and Shawn Langdon pilots the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car. Connie Kalitta serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith on the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, Nicky Boninfante and Kurt Elliott on the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car, Rob Flynn on the Craftsman Top Fuel dragster and Jim Oberhofer leads the efforts on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include ARP, AutoDesk CAM, Champion, Cogistics, Darton Sleeves, DHL, Global Electronic Technology, JEGS, Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Mac Tools, Racing Electronics, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Technicoat Companies, TMS Titanium, Toyota, WIX Filters and Ziebart.