Wed, 25 Jun 2003, 02:27 PM Rampy Still in the Hunt for National Event Win NO. 50

Courtesy of NHRA Marketing Photo copyright 2003 Auto Imagery, Inc.

MADISON, Ill. -- More than 400 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will join their professional racing brothers at Gateway International Raceway June 26-29 for the 2003 Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals. Racers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, and Super Gas will continue their quest for a national championship.

David Rampy

David Rampy cannot better his position in the Comp Eliminator national point standings this weekend at Gateway Int’l Raceway but the Piedmont, Ala., racer could earn his 50th NHRA national event win. With 10 national events already under his belt this season, Rampy is out of nationals from which to claim points toward the championship but in the three races that do count toward his points Rampy scored two wins and a runner-up finish. Rampy is currently in second place in the Comp Eliminator point standings and he can still earn points on the divisional level.

In 2003 Rampy has been atop the Comp Eliminator field in his ’32 Bantam Altered and if he wins here this weekend, it will give him five victories including back-to-back wins in Bristol, Tenn., and Atlanta. Rampy’s last trip to the winner’s circle came at the national event in Topeka, Kan.

The veteran racer has earned national event wins in Super Street, Super Gas, Super Comp and Comp Eliminator. His 49 national event wins ranks him third among all NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors. Only Frank Manzo (54) and Pat Austin (75) have more.

Aside from his usual Pro Stock driving duties, Jeg Coughlin Jr. will also compete in Super Stock at Gateway. This will be the first time since 1998 that Coughlin will run in two classes.

Coughlin’s brother Mike will also be at the event racing in Super Comp and Super Gas. He will be looking for his second straight win in Super Comp, having taken the honors at his home track in Columbus, Ohio.

NHRA Lucas Oil racers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will be heading to Bandimere Speedway in Denver for the next national event, July 18-20.