Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals
Pomona, Calif.
(February 5-10)

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Driver Profile

Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger

Pomona, Saturday:  Ron Capps drove the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Funny Car to the No. 13 qualifying position at the NHRA Winternationals, the season opener of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Only one of four rounds of qualifying were able to be completed as rain washed out Thursday and Friday qualifying, and one round today.

Not knowing if there would be a second run today, Capps pedaled the NAPA Dodge to a 4.289-second pass and will face 14-time Funny Car champion John Force in first round of eliminations on Sunday. Capps' career record against Force is 17-41 in round wins. He's won nine of the last 14 meetings against Force, and has won four of the last six first-round match-ups over Force.

"It was nerve-wracking," said Capps. "I haven't been that nervous in a while because it was basically a one-run dash. We have NAPA executives here, and there's a lot of pressure when you have people from corporate at the event. And it's the first race of the season and it's the Winternationals. You want to start off great and then you're given only one chance to get in the show.

"We were pretty tuned up. The NAPA Dodge went out and shook the tires. It actually shook so bad that I almost didn't get a pedal. I almost shook my foot off the throttle pedal but luckily I got a pedal on it. It lifted the front end up, took off and it was a decent run for having pedaled it. We just wanted to be one of the top 16, which we are.

"It's going to be a completely different day tomorrow and it's been a strange start to a very strange season already. As I've always said, no matter what happens in qualifying, when I roll into the NAPA pits we not only have a shot to win but we can win. Once you're in the show you’ve got a shot."

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