Capps, NAPA Team Put Heat on Competition to Win NHRA Title at Houston

Reigning NHRA Funny Car world champion Ron Capps’ NAPA AUTO PARTS Funny Car was on fire when it crossed the finish line Sunday near Houston, but his Dodge Charger R/T was hot enough to win the NHRA SpringNationals and move to within two points from topping the Mello Yello standings.

Ron Capps made the NHRA SpringNationals highlight reel Sunday and took home the NHRA Wally Trophy after winning his first event title of the year and first in the past 13 events.

In the final round against Robert Hight of John Force Racing, Capps wasn’t aware Hight had been disqualified for crossing the centerline before Capps’ engine exploded into a fireball moments before he crossed the finish line at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas.

“I didn’t know we won because it was on fire,” said Capps, who won his 50th Funny Car title. “After I got out of the car on the track, I had my arms up asking fans who won. One of the racers loading up his car gave me a thumbs up.”

The successful weekend enabled Capps with crew chief Rahn Tobler and the NAPA AutoCare Center crew to move within two points of the points lead.

Start/Finish: Qualified No. 2/won in championship round over Robert Hight
Points Earned: 123
Points Standing/Total Points: 2nd/398 after five of 24 NHRA Mello Yello events

Next Race: April 28-30, NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Charlotte
How to Watch or Listen: Fox Sports 1; NHRA All Access

Ron Capps: @RonCapps28
NAPA Racing: @NAPARacing
Don Schumacher Racing: @ShoeRacing
NAPA AUTO PARTS: @theNAPAnetwork