Capps Claims Runner-up Honors with Mopar HEMI® Power at Winternationals
Mopar-powered NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T driver Ron Capps came from the bottom half of the field to almost win the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season-opening 50th annual NHRA Winternationals against 14-time Funny Car champion John Force.
It was oh-so-close. Only seven feet (15 thousandths of a second) separated the pair at the finish line, but it was Force in front, grabbing his first victory in 40 races with a 4.124-second lap at 298.67 mph to Capps' quicker 4.123/305.08. The defending event champion, Capps beat Jim Head, Cruz Pedregon and Bob Tasca III to face the man he has defeated in their last three final-round match-ups.
"It's heartbreaking to not win the 50th Winternationals," said Capps, of Carlsbad, Calif. "Great race for the fans, but I guess the bright side for us is we're going to Phoenix second in the points."
Capps' Mopar-powered Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammates Jack Beckman and Matt Hagan also went rounds at Auto Club Dragway at Pomona, Calif. Beckman piloted his Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T to the semis, losing to event winner Force. Hagan advanced to the quarterfinals in his DieHard Dodge Charger R/T, falling to Tasca. Dodge Funny Car driver Melanie Troxel was also defeated by Tasca, in the first round.
The Mopar-fueled NHRA Funny Car foursome will travel to Phoenix, Ariz., for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 19–21, at Firebird International Raceway. For more information on the NHRA, log on to http://www.nhra.com.