Sonoma: Ron Capps Saturday report

CAPPS IS NO. 10 QUALIFIER IN SONOMA

SONOMA, Calif. (July 17, 2010) - Driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger Funny Car, Ron Capps will start the FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, Calif., from No. 10 in Sunday's eliminations after setting a 4.177-second elapsed time at 296.70 mph in today's final round of qualifying on a 118-degree track surface.

His previous laps for the weekend were a 4.223/284.51 (No. 8) and a tire-smoking 7.738/81.26 (No. 11) on Friday, followed by a 4.262/271.08 earlier today (No. 12).

"It was difficult because last night we gave up some stellar conditions," said Capps, the 1997 Sonoma Funny Car champion. "We had an ignition wire that shorted out. We really felt like we were going go to the pole, or close to it.

"But to come back in the daytime, especially running up near the front of the session, and running that great 4.17, was encouraging. The great thing about this track is lane choice shouldn't be that big of a deal. But we have a rubber match with Tim Wilkerson in the first round. We ran Tim in the final last weekend in Seattle and I'm hoping the outcome will be quite a bit different this time (Capps was runner-up)."

Capps beat Wilkerson earlier this year in Concord, N.C., in the second round.

-source: dsr