Sonoma: Ron Capps preview

CAPPS PUMPED UP FOR SONOMA

CARLSBAD, Calif. (July 14, 2010) - Following his runner-up finish in Seattle last Sunday, the first race of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series "Western Swing," Ron Capps is pumped up to return to the Bay Area and compete in the FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals this weekend in Sonoma, Calif.

Born and raised on the Central Coast of California, Capps has enjoyed his time at the drag strip surrounded by wine country. He was the 1997 Funny Car champion in Sonoma, runner-up in 2002 and 2005, and No. 1 qualifier in 1998.

"It's amazing, when I think about the success that I've had at certain tracks, Seattle and Sonoma come to mind. Seattle was where I had my first win in 1995, in Top fuel, and again later in Funny Car. And I've been coming to Sonoma since I was a little kid and have been to three final rounds there, winning once. This part of the NHRA season has always been at tracks where I've done well in my career."

John Medlen came on board to tune the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Funny Car for Capps two races ago, with former crew chief Ed McCulloch still working alongside as he also consults with the two other Funny Cars under the Don Schumacher Racing umbrella.

"A bunch of NAPA crew guys said after Norwalk that our Countdown, and our season, were going to start in Seattle. And, sure enough, it looks like they may be right," said Capps, who moved from eighth to seventh in the standings after Seattle. "John Medlen's been so much fun to work with. It is so neat to watch the changes that he makes on the car and why he makes them.

"I've been so lucky to have been able to work with some legendary men as crew chief and mentors in the past, like Ed "Ace" McCulloch and now John Medlen. The best part is the performance of the car right now, with both John and Ace working together.

"Sonoma is kind of a home track for me. I had lived in the Bay Area for quite a while. I have a lot of family, a lot of friends who come to that race. It's even more special this year because of the involvement we have with the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner on Thursday night. This track is somewhat of a home track for John Medlen as well. He's also going to have a lot of family and friends coming to the race.

"It's going to be an emotional weekend, but I can't think of a better place to win at right now than Sonoma. It would be storybook.

"I left Seattle and hopped on the airplane with such a bounce in my step after the great weekend we had there."

-source: dsr