Ron Capps, driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car and current Funny Car points leader in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, leapt to the top of the timing sheets on Friday afternoon at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. If the three-time Funny Car world champion remains in pole position through two more qualifying passes tomorrow, it will be his fourth No. 1 qualifier at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
After NHRA officials moved Friday’s qualifying sessions earlier due to the threat of rain, the Ron Capps Motorsports team owner opened the weekend on a high note, making a solid pass of 3.999 seconds at 327.19 mph in the first opportunity of the day. In Q2, crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli and the NAPA Auto Care crew did what they do best, expertly powering Capps’ 12,000-horsepower Funny Car down the track at a blistering pace of 3.894 at 328.38.
“This is one of my favorite places we come to (on the NHRA tour),” said Capps. “The fans here are great. They paid attention; they knew we were gonna run earlier today and the stands were packed. It’s just a great place to race. We always want to do well here for the Bader family, no matter what. The lanes are so even, it’s a great place to test different conditions. This place is notorious for changing weather. Knowing my luck, it’ll be overcast tomorrow and the track will be killer. We’ll probably end up being fifth. There will be way more runs in the 80s.”
Fridays at the track tend to be especially busy for Capps as he balances the responsibilities of team ownership with those of a driver. Not only is he fulfilling requests from sponsors, spending time with media partners, and connecting with his crew, but Capps is also relentless in considering every detail of the fan experience.
“I usually try to stay busy,” said Capps. “There are times where I get ready to get in the car and have to tell myself to calm down and get all of that out of my brain. But other times, if I don’t check in on things, I’m worse off wondering if anyone needs help and if it’s going ok.”
Competition at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will continue on Saturday with two more qualifying sessions followed by eliminations on Sunday morning.
