Pre-Race Report Event 23: NHRA Toyota Nationals The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas, Nevada

Richie Crampton

Kalitta aims for another strong showing in Vegas

Las Vegas Highlights: Two wins (2004, 2015); Three runner-up finishes (2005, 2007, 2014); Two No.1 qualifiers (2003, 2005)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Carolina Nationals): Qualified fifth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, lost to Mike Salinas in the quarterfinals)

2017 NHRA Toyota Nationals Recap: Qualified fifth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, lost to Brittany Force in the quarterfinals)

Quotable: “We did well in Las Vegas earlier in the season, so we are going to have some solid data to look back on for this weekend. This Mac Tools team is going to do everything we can to finish the season on a strong note.”

Career Stats: 479 starts; 652 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 96 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)

2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); Five finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I, Richmond, Denver, Indianapolis); 29 round wins; eighth in the standings

Richie Crampton

Crampton focused on continued consistency to close out season

Las Vegas Highlights: One win (2015)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Carolina Nationals): Qualified 10th; First round loss (Lost to Leah Pritchett in the first round)

2017 NHRA Toyota Nationals Recap: Qualified 11th, First round loss (Lost to Terry McMillen in the first round)

Quotable: “Our goal is to qualify better this weekend, because our team has continued getting better throughout the year and we have seen some strong runs over the past few events.”

Career Stats: 101 starts; 86 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers

2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); 11 round wins; 11th in the standings

Shawn Langdon

Langdon hopes for first career Las Vegas victory

Las Vegas Highlights:  Two No. 1 qualifiers (2009, 2013 – Top Fuel)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Carolina Nationals): Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to Matt Hagan in the first round)

2017 NHRA Toyota Nationals Recap: Qualified seventh; Semifinalist (Defeated Antron Brown in the first round, Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals, lost to Terry McMillen in the semifinals)

Quotable: “We really want to get back on track in Las Vegas. We have two races left this season to make some noise in the class and try to finish out the year on a positive note.”

Career Stats: 228 starts; 261 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 22 starts; 14 round wins)

2018 Season: 22 starts; 14 round wins; Tenth in the standings

JR Todd

In the midst of a championship hunt, Todd sets sights on points lead with two races left

Las Vegas Highlights:   One win (2018); Three runner-up finishes (2006, 2014, 2016); Two No. 1 qualifiers (2014, 2015 – Top Fuel)

Last Event Recap (NHRA Carolina Nationals): Qualified fourth; Runner Up (Defeated Jonnie Lindberg in the first round, Cruz Pedregon in the quarterfinals, John Force in the semifinals, lost to Ron Capps in the finals)

2017 NHRA Toyota Nationals Recap: Qualified fifth; First round loss (Lost to Del Worsham in the first round)

Quotable: “We have a really good hot rod right now and we are hoping to carry that into these last two races. If we can keep reaching final rounds in the last two races then I like our chances.”

Career Stats: 194 starts; 203 round wins; 15 wins; 27 finals; 10 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 46 starts; Six wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston, Indianapolis, Reading); Eight finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston, Indianapolis, Reading, Dallas, Charlotte-II); 54 round wins)

2018 Season: Four wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston, Indianapolis, Reading); 36 round wins; Second in the point standings