<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/cappsPRELUDE1.jpg" alt="cappsPRELUDE1" align="left"borders="0"/>
INDIANAPOLIS, June 5, 2007 -- NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car points leader Ron Capps will go "Full Throttle" in the Nextel Prelude to the Dream June 6. Full Throttle energy drink will sponsor the Brian Ruhlman-owned late model stock car, decked out in a Warpaint Graphix design, that the popular Funny Car driver will pilot as he competes against NASCAR, NHRA, dirt and oval-racing veterans on Eldora Speedway's half-mile clay oval during a unique charity event.
"Ron is having an outstanding year in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, but in this upcoming race, he'll be facing a different kind of challenge," said Ben Reiling, director, motorsports, Coca-Cola North America. "We thought bringing together the leading Funny Car driver and Full Throttle, the ultimate guy's energy drink, would be the perfect way to get him revved up for this unusual event."
"This event has grown so much in popularity the last couple of years that it has attracted many fans and media attention. I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have Full Throttle support this effort as we compete to help two great charities," said Capps, whose Brut Dodge Funny Car team currently leads the NHRA Full Throttle points for consistency in qualifying.
The third annual Nextel Prelude to the Dream will feature more than two dozen world-renowned drivers battling for dirt supremacy, and HBO Pay-Per-View will present the event live at 7 p.m. EDT to the entire nation. Proceeds from this ground-breaking telecast will support the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Tony Stewart Foundation.
Drivers from all racing disciplines, some with extensive dirt track experience and others with little at all, will participate in hot laps, qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature. All will pilot 2,300-pound dirt late-model stock cars capable of putting out over 800 horsepower.
Besides Capps, the all-star race will feature Tony Stewart, owner of Eldora Speedway, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Clint Bowyer, Dave Blaney, Kyle Petty, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Ray Evernham, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace, J.J. Yeley, fellow Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon, as well as the legendary Red Farmer.
In the first two Nextel Prelude to the Dream events, Capps finished ninth and fourth. "My plan is to keep finishing higher each year I'm invited to this event," said Capps.
In the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Capps has won three Funny Car national events and leads the point standings by 53 markers over Robert Hight after eight of 23 events.
CAPPS GOES 'FULL THROTTLE' IN PRELUDE TO THE DREAM
INDIANAPOLIS, June 5, 2007 -- NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car points leader Ron Capps will go "Full Throttle" in the Nextel Prelude to the Dream June 6. Full Throttle energy drink will sponsor the Brian Ruhlman-owned late model stock car, decked out in a Warpaint Graphix design, that the popular Funny Car driver will pilot as he competes against NASCAR, NHRA, dirt and oval-racing veterans on Eldora Speedway's half-mile clay oval during a unique charity event.
"Ron is having an outstanding year in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, but in this upcoming race, he'll be facing a different kind of challenge," said Ben Reiling, director, motorsports, Coca-Cola North America. "We thought bringing together the leading Funny Car driver and Full Throttle, the ultimate guy's energy drink, would be the perfect way to get him revved up for this unusual event."
"This event has grown so much in popularity the last couple of years that it has attracted many fans and media attention. I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have Full Throttle support this effort as we compete to help two great charities," said Capps, whose Brut Dodge Funny Car team currently leads the NHRA Full Throttle points for consistency in qualifying.
The third annual Nextel Prelude to the Dream will feature more than two dozen world-renowned drivers battling for dirt supremacy, and HBO Pay-Per-View will present the event live at 7 p.m. EDT to the entire nation. Proceeds from this ground-breaking telecast will support the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Tony Stewart Foundation.
Drivers from all racing disciplines, some with extensive dirt track experience and others with little at all, will participate in hot laps, qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature. All will pilot 2,300-pound dirt late-model stock cars capable of putting out over 800 horsepower.
Besides Capps, the all-star race will feature Tony Stewart, owner of Eldora Speedway, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Clint Bowyer, Dave Blaney, Kyle Petty, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Ray Evernham, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace, J.J. Yeley, fellow Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon, as well as the legendary Red Farmer.
In the first two Nextel Prelude to the Dream events, Capps finished ninth and fourth. "My plan is to keep finishing higher each year I'm invited to this event," said Capps.
In the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Capps has won three Funny Car national events and leads the point standings by 53 markers over Robert Hight after eight of 23 events.
