Carlsbad’s Capps savors first win of NHRA season

It may have taken more than a year to get back to the winner‘s podium, but Carlsbad drag racer Ron Capps was finally savoring a victory again on Monday.

Capps, who drives the Napa Auto Parts Dodge Charger for Don Schumacher Racing, on Sunday scored his first final-round triumph of the National Hot Rod Association season. It came at the FRAM/Autolite NHRA Nationals held at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, site of Capps’ previous victory on July 18, 2010.

“I just love this track,” said the 46-year-old Capps, who also won at Infineon in 1997 and had additional final-round appearances in 2002 and 2005. “This has always been a place where I’ve done well.”

For the Funny Car final eliminations, Capps qualified third behind 15-time champion John Force and Robert Hight. Capps then defeated Bob Tasca, Johnny Gray and Cruz Pedregon to advance to the final round against Tim Wilkerson. When Capps posted a 4.145-second run at 303.57 mph to Wilkerson’s 4.175 at 300.93 in a Ford Mustang, the win light went to Capps for the 32nd time in his 17-year career.

“I was nervous about Tim in that round,” Capps recounted. “We had been running so well all weekend, but in drag racing you can’t take anything for granted.

“I knew coming into this race we had a good car. You can qualify really well, even No. 1, but you can’t be too comfortable on Sunday when any little thing can cost you the race.”

Capps, a native of San Luis Obispo, said he had a lot of support from friends and family. He was joined at the event by his wife, Shelley, son Caden and daughter Taylor.

“After every run I looked out in the pits and it was like a high school reunion,” said Capps. “It’s hard to win at your home track and I am glad we were able to do it. The competition is so tough right now. With every win you start to wonder if you can win again because it is so tough to do.”

It was also the first win for Capps since Tim Richards came on board as crew chief five races into the season.

“We’re hitting our stride and doing it at the right time,” Capps said about the improvements which have come in the last several races. “I have been saying for weeks what a great job Tim Richards has done and now everyone can see it.”

With the victory, Capps moved to sixth in the Funny Car points standings. Mike Neff is the series leader.

Capps will now motor up the Pacific Coast for next weekend’s NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle, the conclusion of the NHRA’s three-race Western Swing.

“Everything is clicking right now,” Capps said. “I am so excited about getting to Seattle for our next race.”