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BRISTOL, Tenn. (May 18, 2008) - Ron Capps advanced to the second round today at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway and moved up into the No. 8 spot in the point standings.
Driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, he briefly held the No. 7 position until he was defeated by polesitter and John Force Racing team member Mike Neff in the second round.
Capps dismissed Bob Tasca III in the opening round of eliminations, using a 4.827-second pass at 316.52 mph to do so, then faced the former Don Schumacher Racing crew chief Neff in the quarterfinal. After several rain delays, the pair took off, with Capps grabbing the initial edge with a .069-of-a-second reaction time to Neff's .076 (.000 is perfect). But it was Neff first across the finish line with a 4.828/319.98 to Capps' losing 4.873/315.27. Margin of victory: 18 feet.
"We were seventh for an instant, then dropped to eighth place in the points, but that's OK," said Capps. "We're making good progress in the points. We're making forward progress in the points as well, and that's what we're really trying for.
"But overall we're very disappointed we didn't win that round. But to come here with a new car and keep the qualifying streak going (23 straight events) and, not only that, to go a couple rounds on a track with very, very tricky conditions, was very good for us.
"Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) had his hands full: the clouds were covering, it was raining, and then the sun would pop out. That's the worst thing for a crew chief.
"I'm real happy with the NAPA AUTO PARTS crew. We overcame a lot here coming with a new car. It's a big relief. And I'm excited about what's coming up. We're not too far out of the points and we're making up points every race, instead of going backwards. And it's going to be a nice weekend off. The NAPA guys need one, after putting this new Murf McKinney car together."
Next up is the NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, Kans., May 30-June 1.
(Note: The event has been halted for heavy rain after the Top Fuel class final round was set, and the semifinal rounds of Funny Car and Pro Stock were set.)
CAPPS MOVES TO NO. 8 IN POINTS IN BRISTOL
BRISTOL, Tenn. (May 18, 2008) - Ron Capps advanced to the second round today at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway and moved up into the No. 8 spot in the point standings.
Driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, he briefly held the No. 7 position until he was defeated by polesitter and John Force Racing team member Mike Neff in the second round.
Capps dismissed Bob Tasca III in the opening round of eliminations, using a 4.827-second pass at 316.52 mph to do so, then faced the former Don Schumacher Racing crew chief Neff in the quarterfinal. After several rain delays, the pair took off, with Capps grabbing the initial edge with a .069-of-a-second reaction time to Neff's .076 (.000 is perfect). But it was Neff first across the finish line with a 4.828/319.98 to Capps' losing 4.873/315.27. Margin of victory: 18 feet.
"We were seventh for an instant, then dropped to eighth place in the points, but that's OK," said Capps. "We're making good progress in the points. We're making forward progress in the points as well, and that's what we're really trying for.
"But overall we're very disappointed we didn't win that round. But to come here with a new car and keep the qualifying streak going (23 straight events) and, not only that, to go a couple rounds on a track with very, very tricky conditions, was very good for us.
"Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) had his hands full: the clouds were covering, it was raining, and then the sun would pop out. That's the worst thing for a crew chief.
"I'm real happy with the NAPA AUTO PARTS crew. We overcame a lot here coming with a new car. It's a big relief. And I'm excited about what's coming up. We're not too far out of the points and we're making up points every race, instead of going backwards. And it's going to be a nice weekend off. The NAPA guys need one, after putting this new Murf McKinney car together."
Next up is the NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, Kans., May 30-June 1.
(Note: The event has been halted for heavy rain after the Top Fuel class final round was set, and the semifinal rounds of Funny Car and Pro Stock were set.)
