RON CAPPS
Driver of the Pennzoil Synthetics/NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 12 (3.971 E.T. at 315.71 MPH)
The Results:
E1: 3.954 E.T. at 325.22 MPH defeated John Force 3.972 E.T. at 330.31 MPH
E2: 3.963 E.T. at 322.81 MPH defeated by Bob Tasca III 3.943 E.T. at 322.11 MPH
Race Recap:
No. 12 qualifier Ron Capps began race day with a first-round matchup against John Force in the 98th meeting between the two most successful Funny Car racers of all time. Capps, a five-time Las Vegas champion, was able to overcome a slight starting line deficit to outgun Force with a 3.954-second pass versus Force’s slower 3.972 E.T.
In round two, the driver of the Pennzoil Synthetics/NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T faced Countdown spoiler Bob Tasca III. Both drivers had identical reaction times (0.066-seconds), but Tasca was able to gain a slight lead early into the run. Capps kept pace but was unable to chase down his opponent.
The 2016 NHRA Funny Car world champion leaves Las Vegas 165 points behind the current points leader, J.R. Todd. While his chances are slim, with 191 points up for grabs at the season finale in Pomona, California, Capps is still mathematically in the 2018 title hunt.
Quotable:
“This weekend at Vegas, coming off of the win at Charlotte, we didn’t qualify where we wanted to and it’s what makes this sport so heartbreaking and rewarding. It’s a constant fight. (Crew chief Rahn) Tobler found the issue between Q3 and Q4, and we did exactly what we needed to do to make a good run Q4.
“Typical Tobler, we went up there in the left lane without lane choice and beat John Force in the first round today. And that set up a match with our old assistant crew chief Eric (Lane) and Tasca’s car. We have a lot of respect for that team and they just outran us. We made a big adjustment and got after it, but just lost a close race. I didn’t see him until the finish line.”
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