Ron Capps Races to 60th Funny Car Win!!!

Ron Capps Advances to Third in NHRA Countdown Standings NAPA NIGHTVISION Lamps Light the Way to Capps 60th Funny Car Victory CONCORD, North Carolina (October 15, 2018) – Ron Capps piloted the NAPA NIGHTVISION Lamps Dodge Charger R/T to his 60th Funny Car victory with his win Sunday at the NHRA Carolina Nationals. By claiming 121 points over the course of the weekend, Capps moved up three spots to third in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoff standings, injecting new life into his bid for a second career Funny Car world championship. Along his way to the zMAX Dragway winner’s circle, Capps defeated Dale Creasy Jr. and three of the top-ranked 2018 Funny Car championship contenders – Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson and J.R. Todd – in crucial matchups with major Countdown implications. The milestone victory and 61st overall triumph which includes one Top Fuel win, came after two disappointing consecutive first-round losses, but Capps and his Rahn Tobler-led team were determined to not let their early Countdown stumbles deter their hopes for the 2018 title. “In St. Louis we lost on a holeshot first round and I’m sick to my stomach when that happens,” said Capps. “I go home, I don’t sleep, I’m up in the middle of the night, watching frame-by-frame of when my blades open compared to the person I lost to on a holeshot and it’s not fun. I live it, I breathe it. I just could not wait to get to the next race after St. Louis. We really had a great car there and we really had the opportunity to make a lot of points up and we didn’t, and I wore that. I probably aged a year in that week. Then we got to Dallas, had a great car, and just got outran by John Force first round. “Tobler and I left Dallas, shook hands, gave each other a little hug like we always do when we leave the track and he said ‘let’s just go win the last three. If we win, they can’t,’ and I’m just so glad we came here and did what we talked about doing.” With 321 points up for grabs in the final two events, Capps enters the next stop on the NHRA tour sitting 109 points out of first. The remaining events on the NHRA schedule are contested in Las Vegas and Pomona, California, two historically cooler-weather events, and Capps has more confidence than ever in Tobler’s cool weather tuning capabilities. “To make over 330-mph runs two times in the middle of the day today is big for Rahn Tobler. We always talk about race day and hot, adverse conditions, and that’s where he shines, but to throw down those speeds and E.T.s in the cooler weather today when we needed it was huge.” Capps’ Carolina Nationals victory, his third of the season, was won in a one-off NAPA NIGHTVISION Lamps livery, and his previous event win in Seattle was also won in a special look – the Pennzoil Synthetics/NAPA AUTO PARTS paint scheme. At the upcoming Las Vegas event, Capps will be back behind the wheel of the Pennzoil/NAPA Dodge, and he feels the special livery will provide his team with a little extra luck going into the race weekend. “We always do well when we bring these special paint schemes out. In Seattle we had the Pennzoil car and we won it, and we’ll have that again at the next race in Vegas. “We have a lot of business left to do. It’s not over. Points-and-a-half in Pomona. Anything can happen and we’re going to go down fighting. I can’t wait to celebrate with my race team, get to the next race and finish the year strong.” Qualified: No. 2 (3.875 E.T. at 329.42 MPH) The Results: E1: 3.926 E.T. at 328.86 MPH defeated Dale Creasy Jr. 4.041 E.T. at 316.67 MPH E2: 3.889 E.T. at 332.43 MPH defeated Robert Hight 3.953 E.T. at 285.23 MPH E3: 3.903 E.T. at 320.97 MPH defeated Tim Wilkerson 3.978 E.T. at 323.97 MPH E4: 3.890 E.T. at 331.20 MPH defeated J.R. Todd 4.311 E.T. at 214.96 MPH Story Courtesy DSR Media.

Leah Pritchett and Papa Johns win the 2017 NHRA Winternationals.

(All Photos by: Dicken Wear)

POMONA, Calif. – Leah Pritchett, a Redlands, Calif. native, earned the second Top Fuel victory of her career at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals on Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, her home track.

“This definitely is taking delivery from the momentum from last year,” Pritchett said. “What just happen is the best thing that has ever happened for me professionally in my career. In my opinion, right now, we have the perfect group of people, partners, sponsors, a car that is reacting. This thing is ‘A+’, Grade A, perfect kid in school type of situation and we’re taking advantage of it right now.”

Pritchett defeated Steve Torrence and eight-time champion Tony Schumacher en route to the finals. Kalitta, who was in his third consecutive final at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, bettered Terry McMillen and three-time and reigning world champion Antron Brown.

Leah Prichett’s sponsor, “Papa Johns” was named the Official Pizza of the NHRA on Wed. 

POMONA, Calif. Sunday 2-12-17: Final finish order (1-16) at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.  The race is the first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1.  Leah Pritchett; 2.  Doug Kalitta; 3.  Antron Brown; 4.  Tony Schumacher; 5.  Troy Coughlin Jr.; 6.  Steve Torrence; 7.  Terry McMillen; 8.  Brittany Force; 9.  Shawn Reed; 10.  Scott Palmer; 11.  Clay Millican; 12.  Steve Faria; 13.  Terry Haddock; 14.  Troy Buff; 15.  Steven Chrisman.

FUNNY CAR:

1.  Matt Hagan; 2.  Courtney Force; 3.  John Force; 4.  Ron Capps; 5.  Jack Beckman; 6.  J.R. Todd; 7.  Tommy Johnson Jr.; 8.  Del Worsham; 9.  Alexis DeJoria; 10.  Robert Hight; 11.  Tim Wilkerson; 12.  Bob Bode; 13.  Phil Burkart; 14.  Jeff Diehl; 15.  Cruz Pedregon; 16.  Jim Campbell.

PRO STOCK:

 Jason Line; 2.  Greg Anderson; 3.  Bo Butner; 4.  Erica Enders; 5.  Shane Gray; 6.  Jeg Coughlin; 7.  Tanner Gray; 8.  Vincent Nobile; 9.  Drew Skillman; 10.  Chris McGaha; 11.  Matt Hartford; 12.  Alan Prusiensky; 13.  Kenny Delco; 14.  Deric Kramer; 15.  Allen Johnson; 16.  Val Smeland.

Sunday's final results from the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The race is the first of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Leah Pritchett, 3.711 seconds, 324.98 mph  def. Doug Kalitta, 7.630 seconds, 103.85 mph.

Funny Car -- Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.875, 330.07  def. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.901, 326.95.

Pro Stock -- Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.568, 211.10  def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.579, 211.56.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Joey Severance, 5.214, 275.51  def. Garrett Bateman, 5.486, 263.10.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.652, 127.19  def. Jonnie Lindberg, Camaro, Foul - Red Light.

Competition Eliminator -- Doug Lambeck, Pontiac Sunfire, 8.351, 156.97  def. Clint Neff, Bantam Roadster, 7.655, 156.48.

Super Stock -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Cobalt, 8.638, 153.23  def. Timothy Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.375, 120.43.

Stock Eliminator -- Jerry Emmons, Chevy Camaro, 10.170, 119.87  def. Justin Jerome, Plymouth Duster, 10.985, 119.38.

Super Comp -- Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.903, 185.38  def. Dave Alves, Dragster, 8.891, 184.77.

Super Gas -- Ed Olpin, Chevy Corvette, 9.886, 168.98  def. Robert Naber, Corvette, 9.882, 163.06.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com -- Mike Coughlin, Dragster, 6.093, 212.73  def. Andy Spiegel, Dragster, 6.662, 199.85.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com -- Ed Olpin, Chevy Camaro, 6.978, 198.26  def. Jeff Gillette, Pontiac GTO, 6.939, 193.24.

Top Fuel Harley -- Jay Turner, Dixie, 6.276, 218.23  def. Rickey House, VTS, Foul - Red Light.

(Story and Results courtesy the NHRA).

First Day of Qualifying at New England Dragway, Epping, NH.

SCHUMACHER, JOHNSON JR. AND MCGAHA TOP QUALIFYING LEADERBOARD FRIDAY AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS

News From: The NHRA Communications Dept.
(Anthony Vestal & Chris Lawyer)

EPPING, N.H.  – Tony Schumacher raced to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel Friday at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) also were qualifying leaders at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Boston.

Bob Tasca II & III - Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015)

Schumacher ran a track record 3.742-second pass at 324.12 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to top the leaderboard after the first day of qualifying. Schumacher, the eight-time and defending world champ, is looking for his first top qualifier at Epping and second of the season.

“I think the car is excellent right now,” said Schumacher, winner of this event last season. “There was more there. You look at the computer and there is some room [to improve]. I’m sure most cars that go out there are going to find it.”

Robert Hight  - Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015)

Schumacher debuted a new car at the national event in Atlanta last month and finally feels that his dragster is starting to pick up steam. The team has struggled since the switch, losing twice in the second round and once in the first.

“We brought the car out at Atlanta and that’s not been many races,” said Schumacher. “We haven’t gone and won rounds, haven’t been to a final with it. It’s a great car. It should benefit us when it gets warm outside. Right now, we are just maintaining.”  

Ron Capps - Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015)

Richie Crampton currently sits second following a 3.744 at 325.92 in his Lucas Oil dragster. Shawn Langdon, the 2013 world champ, was strong with a 3.745 at 324.98 in his Knuckle Sandwich/Bass Pro Shops/AJPE dragster and is provisionally third. Steve Torrence and Spencer Massey, who reset the track speed record at 327.66 mph in his Red Fuel dragster, are fourth and fifth.

Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015)

Johnson Jr. claimed the Funny Car top spot during the final pair of the category with his 4.047 at 319.45 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T. Johnson Jr., who entered this event sixth in points, is two sessions away from securing his first No. 1 qualifier since Chicago last season and his first at Epping.

“I was expecting a lot better numbers than what we saw tonight,” Johnson Jr. said. “We got up there and thought we were going to try to run a low zero. The 4.04 was a good number and the guys had a good handle on the tune-up. Track conditions kept getting better and I was thrilled with a 4.04.”

Two-time world champ Cruz Pedregon ran a 4.052 at 306.46 in his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry to sit second. John Force, a 16-time world champ searching for his first New England win, is currently qualified third with two sessions remaining. Fellow John Force Racing competitors Courtney Force and Robert Hight are fourth and fifth. 

In Pro Stock, McGaha ran a 6.520 at 212.66 in his Harlow Sammons Chevy Camaro to lead the factory hot rod field following Friday’s sessions. McGaha is searching for his fifth career No. 1 qualifier and third of the season. 

“It’s a pretty good start. Starting sometimes is the most important thing but you’ve got to finish in the end,” said McGaha. “We’ve started off No. 1 before and been able to maintain it. You never know what tomorrow leads. We will see what happens tomorrow and will go from there.”

Four-time world champ Greg Anderson, the most recent Pro Stock winner at Englishtown, is second following Friday’s action with a 6.521 at 213.30 in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. Two-time world champ Jason Line’s 6.530 at 212.69 in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro was good enough for the provisional No. 3 spot. Defending world champ Erica Enders and Jonathan Gray sit fourth and fifth.

Qualifying at the NHRA New England Nationals wraps up on Saturday with sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to set the fields for Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations.

*** UPDATE ***

Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the Third annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway and Motorsports Park, tenth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  

Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.742 seconds, 324.28 mph; 2. Richie Crampton, 3.744, 325.92; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.745, 324.98; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.765, 323.04; 5. Spencer Massey, 3.773, 327.66; 6. Antron Brown, 3.784, 316.30; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.795, 323.12; 8. J.R. Todd, 3.813, 322.27; 9. Clay Millican, 3.817, 318.17; 10. Brittany Force, 3.819, 320.89; 11. Larry Dixon, 3.824, 321.88; 12. Leah Pritchett, 3.861, 315.05. 

Not Qualified: 13. Morgan Lucas, 3.908, 302.48; 14. Terry McMillen, 3.921, 305.70; 15. Dave Connolly, 3.968, 302.28; 16. Dan Mercier, 3.998, 295.21. 

Funny Car -- 1. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.047, 319.45; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.052, 306.46; 3. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.055, 318.24; 4. Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.059, 319.45; 5. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.068, 320.13; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.070, 318.24; 7. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.073, 313.66; 8. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.075, 309.42; 9. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.081, 315.42; 10. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.095, 310.20; 11. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.187, 288.15; 12. Dave Richards, Toyota Solara, 4.624, 195.17.  

Not Qualified: 13. Jack Beckman, 5.299, 139.39; 14. Dom Lagana, 5.768, 125.67; 15. John Hale, 6.585, 99.05; 16. Jeff Diehl, 6.655, 102.29; 17. Bob Tasca III, 15.097, 49.74. 

Pro Stock -- 1. Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.520, 212.66; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.521, 213.30; 3. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.530, 212.69; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.543, 211.99; 5. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.552, 211.83; 6. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.553, 212.09; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.562, 211.63; 8. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.563, 212.26; 9. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.569, 212.69; 10. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.590, 211.10; 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.602, 210.01; 12. John Gaydosh Jr, Pontiac GXP, 6.641, 209.49.  

Not Qualified: 13. Alan Prusiensky, 6.715, 208.81; 14. Val Smeland, 6.823, 195.14; 15. V. Gaines, 9.394, 98.19.

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[Reposted by: Dana Marino for "The Motorsports Report"]