NHRA Winternationals Pre-Race Report
NHRA Winternationals
Event 3 of 21
In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
Pomona, Calif.
March 31 – April 2
RON CAPPS: Driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car
Noteworthy:- Enters the weekend fresh off of a runner-up finish from Phoenix the week prior
- By advancing beyond the second round at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Capps clinched a spot in the next Mission #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car Challenge, contested this Saturdayin Pomona
- Capps will square off against Alexis DeJoria, whom he defeated in the semifinals at the previous event
- The last time Capps visited Pomona, he was crowned the 2022 NHRA Camping World Series Funny Car champion
- Scored the pole position at the two most recent Pomona 1 events, and is seeking his third consecutive Winternationals No. 1 qualifier and final round appearance
- Capps’ record in his four most recent Pomona outings include:
- Fall 2022 – No. 1 qualifier, runner-up, crowned series champion
- Spring 2022 – No. 1 qualifier, runner-up
- Fall 2021 – crowned series champion
- Spring 2021 – No. 1 qualifier, event champion
- Reset the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip Funny Car speed record when he powered his NAPA Supra to a 337.33 mph during the Fall 2022 event
- As a lifelong Californian and resident of Carlsbad near San Diego, Capps considers In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip to be a home track
- Capps will participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
- Also on Saturday, Capps will join his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammates at the Toyota midway display from 10 – 10:30 a.m. for a Team Toyota autograph session
“Always a lot of excitement when you’re gearing up for a race at Pomona. Historically, we’re used to starting the season with the Winternationals and we end the season with the World Finals, but this year, the Pomona Winternationals is the third race of the season. So many things to be excited about this weekend. First of all, looking at the weather forecast, it’s going to be fast. And with In-N-Out Burger coming on board, that’s a great, historic name in it of itself. In-N-Out and Pomona both kind of ooze hot rodding with Pomona being the birthplace of NHRA, and In-N-Out has always been a staple of Southern California and everything around the raceway. So, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragway sounds so good. On top of that, our NAPA Racing team is coming off of a great race last weekend, which put us into third in points heading into Pomona. We had such a great race when we won the world championship at the end of the season last November in Pomona, and I know Guido (Dean Antonelli) and our NAPA AutoCare team are chomping at the bit to get back there. With the forecast this weekend, it looks like it’s going to be as fast as ever.”
About Ron Capps Motorsports
Established in 2021, Ron Capps Motorsports is a single-car NHRA Funny Car team owned and operated by reigning and three-time world champion Ron Capps. Headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., the team made its on-track debut in 2022 and competes on the 21-race NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit thanks to the support of NAPA Auto Parts, Toyota, and GearWrench.Capps, who serves as both the owner and driver of his namesake operation, is the second-winningest Funny Car pilot in NHRA history with 72 wins in the category. His 73 overall wins (1 Top Fuel) rank sixth amongst NHRA’s four premier classes. The 2023 NHRA season marks Capps’ 29th year competing in the sport’s professional ranks.
