Richie Crampton has definitely made himself contender in the highly-competitive NHRA Top Fuel class in less than two years.

Crampton proved he couldn’t be overlooked at the Kansas Nationals Sunday.

Crampton, who drives for Morgan Lucas Racing, beat three-time world champion Larry Dixon in the finals with a 3.738-second run at 318.09 mph to Dixon’s 3.787-second pass at 308.28 mph at Heartland Park Topeka.

“To get two wins this early in the season is pretty special,” said Crampton, who has been to three final rounds out of the last five races. “It says a lot about (crew chief) Aaron Brook and this entire Lucas Oil Toyota team. They put together the race car perfectly week in and week out and (Sunday) I got a little redemption for my red light in Atlanta.”

Crampton also won in Las Vegas this season, and this is the fourth of his career. Crampton lost in the second round against Dixon when he fouled out the line in Atlanta.

Crampton’s victory parade consisted of victories over Kyle Wurtzel, Spencer Massey, Brittany Force and Dixon. Dixon was trying to get his first win since 2011.

“Obviously the track was in great condition, good enough to try and set national records,” Crampton said. “Hat’s off to everyone who made this happen and of course the Safety Safari did a fantastic job once again and I can’t believe how many fans hung tough through this bad weather we had all weekend and enjoyed the racing with us. I’m glad this event went ahead, and I’m really, really glad we were able to put the Lucas Oil car in the winner’s circle.”

With four victories already, Crampton is happy about how things have unfolded for him so far.

“I still have a little bit to learn,” Crampton said. “I still kind of consider myself a rookie, obviously I drive a championship-caliber race car for a championship-caliber team. I have all the tools to go out and win races like this and all the stuff to make it happen. I’m happy with my progression, but I still need to knuckle down and try and do a better job in the race car. For my second year driving, it is a dream come true.”

With his four national event wins, Crampton overtook David Grubnic as winningest Australian-born NHRA Top Fuel driver. Grubnic has won three races, his last coming in Topeka in 2012. Grubnic is now the crew chief for fellow Top Fuel driver Clay Millican.

“It’s pretty cool,” Crampton said about now owning that record. “I will have to go and see Dave in the next couple of weeks. It is just pretty neat to have won four events. I’m on top of the moon right now.”