Pomona: Ron Capps final summary

MECHANICAL PROBLEM SIDELINES CAPPS IN FIRST ROUND AT POMONA

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2005) - The adrenaline rush that Ron Capps no doubt was experiencing as his crew began to start up the all-new Brut Dodge Funny Car for his first round of eliminations for Don Schumacher Racing quickly fizzled when oil began to spew out of the car.

Anticipating a strong run against his teammate Whit Bazemore, the team, led by crew chief Ed "Ace" McCulloch, was clearly disappointed as the car was pushed off the line and Bazemore earned a "bye" run to the finish line.

The car had given no indication that a problem existed.

"It could have leaked this morning," said a dejected Capps, who had qualified No. 9 for his first event of the year at the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals. "I probably wish it would've in the warm-up. But, on the bright side, it's a good thing it didn't happen during the run because it split the oil tank, which is right next to the fuel tank. They're kind of side by side, and it split the little seal in there and out it came. As soon as they started the car the oil just started gushing out the front.

"There's no way to tell when that's going to happen. It's a bummer, especially when you see those guys next to us go out there and run a 4.81 (Capps had qualified with a 4.794). We were looking forward to that race.

"It's just a weird day. We were very excited, more so just to see what the car was going to run," he added. "We felt like we left a lot on the table yesterday with the .79. And Ace was as confident as ever. And when he has that look in his eye first round it gives me a big boost of confidence.

"It was going to be a neat run, but there's nothing you can do about it. You can't beat yourself up, you can't beat the guys up and all you can do is put it behind us.

"We're going to be fine. It's a long year."

In NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car points, Capps ended up with 32 points and is tied for 14th place.

Next up is the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., on Feb. 25-27.

-dsr-