Ron Capps, NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger
Michael C. Johnson
RON CAPPS QUALIFIES SIXTH FOR SUNDAY’S NHRA NATIONALS
MOHNTON, Pa., October 1, 2011 – Ron Capps piloted his NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car into the sixth-starting position for Sunday’s 27th-annual NHRA Nationals here at Maple Grove Raceway.
The Don Schumacher Racing Driver banked a 4.059-second lap at 315.27 miles per hour during Friday’s evening qualifying session to gain a first-round race against Robert Hight in tomorrow’s final eliminations, which begin at 11 a.m. EDT.
According to Capps, who posted a 4.136-second pass in Friday’s opening session, the two days of qualifying were a fan’s delight.
“The weather today helped produce some runs which were fun to watch for any fan,” he said about record and near-record passes in all of the pro categories, including a track mark of 4.010 by DSR Funny Car teammate Johnny Gray to grab the number-one-starting spot. “We were safely in the field after yesterday, so Tim (Richards, crew chief) tested to see what we could do with the NAPA car under these conditions.
“The first run (4.388) taught us a lot about the car and the track, about where the “edge” was located. On the second run (5.090), I let it get out of the groove. If we have the same kind of conditions Sunday, put the same tune up in the car and if the driver keeps it in the groove, we should go rounds.
Last week the NAPA pilot went three rounds and reduced his deficit in the Countdown to the Championship by 50 points. He heads into Sunday’s race holding fifth place in the title race, less than four rounds out of first (held by DSR teammate Matt Hagan).
“At every race, the ‘small’ points matter,” he said about the bonus points earned for qualifying. “But, again, going rounds and picking up the 20 points for a win light is crucial. T
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