Ron Capps Wins Summernationals, Takes Points Lead
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 12, 2016) – Nearly every nitro team at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park was challenged to find a tuning combination that would conquer the 130-degree racing surface Sunday on the final day of the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals.
One team, however, was undaunted by the traction depleted surface.
The NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T led by masterful crew chief Rahn Tobler and his assistant Eric Lane had everything calculated to perfection, and with the NAPA Know How crew directed Ron Capps to his second NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title in six days.
The NAPA squad also helped Capps get the No. 1 qualifying spot for Sunday’s eliminations marking the first time he has ever been on the pole in back-to-back races.
And one more thing, Capps is the new points leader in the Funny Car category after defeating Don Schumacher Racing teammate Jack Beckman and the Infinite Hero Dodge.
“It’s great. It’s something you hope will happen at the end of the day,” Capps said. “Rahn Tobler’s given me such a fun car to race. I almost felt embarrassed driving this car today because it’s so good. You just don’t want to mess up when it’s that good; it’s yours to lose.
“Other guys are struggling to get down the track and our car’s going .95 and .96. It wasn’t just that we didn’t struggle, we did. We just worked so good together today, a lot of communication.”
“To dream about being a racecar driver when you grow up – which is a big enough thing to dream about – but to be one and have a racecar like this is something you really dream about. I’m just trying to ride the wave and enjoy it.
“It won’t go forever, but at least we’re having fun right now.”
FUNNY CAR
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Capps (DSR) 3.870 sec., 318.62
RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 1
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (4.057 sec., 307.93 mph) def. John Hale (8.734, 56.15)
Second round: CAPPS (3.996, 310.55) def. John Force (4.474, 204.98)
Semifinals: CAPPS (3.960, 314.68) def. Del Worsham (8.890, 82.05)
Final: CAPPS (3.960, 314.68) def. Jack Beckman (7.894, 85.05)
QUALIFYING
FRIDAY: 3.870 sec., 318.62 mph, (Session 1); 3.878, 321.04, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.994, 287.96, (Session 3); 3.943, 316.08, (Session 4)
2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
After 10 of 24 events
| Driver (wins) | points | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ron Capps (3) | 758 |
| 2 | Jack Beckman | 731 |
| 3 | Courtney Force (1) | 687 |
| 4 | Tim Wilkerson (2) | 660 |
| 5 | Del Worsham | 639 |
| 6 | Matt Hagan (2) | 615 |
| 7 | Robert Hight (1) | 586 |
| 8 | John Force | 581 |
| 9 | Tommy Johnson Jr. | 558 |
| 10 | Alexis DeJoria (1) | 516 |
Categories
Don Schumacher Racing View All
Don Schumacher Racing (DSR), the winningest team in drag racing history, has raced to claimed more than 340 NHRA national event victories and 17 Mello Yello World Championship titles. Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, DSR fields professional teams competing in both the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series and Factory Stock Showdown, including the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car driven by 2016 World Champion Ron Capps.