Capps Enjoys Family Time Ahead of NHRA Sonoma Nationals

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 22, 2014) – Ron Capps is 49 but doesn’t look his age and he certainly doesn’t feel it.

The driver of Don Schumacher Racing’s NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car only feels his age when he looks at his daughter, Taylor, and son, Caden.

“My daughter will be 18 on Friday. Part of being in our sport is things happen fast and she’s growing up too quick for me,” Ron said. “I’m able to spend time with her and that’s great about Sonoma. Having my son Caden there, hanging out with the crew guys and my whole family.

“This is the closest race to where I grew up in San Luis Obispo, and we’ve been camping out just south of Sonoma. It’s been real fun with the family. It’s been real fun getting to spend some time with the kids.”

There are at least four more reasons why he enjoys racing at Sonoma. He has won four event titles at Sonoma Raceway – including last year and three of the past five – and been runner-up twice.

Ron and his team led by crew chief Rahn Tobler and assistant Eric Lane advanced to the semifinals on Sunday near Denver and will arrive at Sonoma ranked third in points with their sights set on second-place driver John Force.

“It’s a home track for me, but it is a huge event for NAPA and there is a lot of stuff going on. The best part of the whole weekend is Thursday night at the Eric Medlen dinner. That’s always something special for everyone so we look forward to that.”

There are only four races left before the NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car points are reset for the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs, and a strong finish to the Western Swing could help vault the NAPA team to second place in the standings.

Capps, Tobler and company hope another solid weekend of Sonoma home cooking can help vault them closer to the top.

Ron Capps: NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T           

Last event Denver (July 20): Qualified No. 5; lost in semifinals to John Force
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 3; defeated John Force in championship round
Career at Sonoma: Wins 4 (2013, 2011, 2010, 1997); Runner-ups 2 (2005, 2002); Poles 1 (1998)

            Pts      Events           Titles              Rup    Semi   Qtr     1st rdPolesDNQ   Win/Loss
2014   3rd          14                  1                       1          7          1          4          1          0          22-12
CAREER          425                42                     42       75        84      164       16        18      528-365

Best Time, Speed: 3.964* sec., (5-31-12, Englishtown, N.J.); 320.89 mph (5-31-12, Englishtown)

NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car Standings                                                                                          

(Official after 14 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS)

    driver (wins)                                 pts       behind
1. Robert Hight (5)                           1,179  —-
2. John Force (2)                                 998  -181
3. RON CAPPS (1)                             921  -258
4. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)           882  -297
5. Courtney Force (1)                        817  -362
6. Alexis DeJoria (2)                           811  -368
7. MATT HAGAN (1)                           794  -385
8. Cruz Pedregon (1)                          781  -398
9. Del Worsham                                  780  -399
10. Tim Wilkerson                               711  -468
11. JACK BECKMAN                         708  -471

NHRA Sonoma Nationals Event Schedule (All times PT)

Friday: 5, 7 p.m., qualifying
Saturday: 1:30. 4 p.m., qualifying
Sunday: 11 a.m., championship eliminations

ON ESPN2

Saturday: 7-8 p.m. ET, qualifying on ESPN
Sunday: 9 p.m.-12 a.m. ET, championship eliminations on ESPN2