Ron Capps rocketed to the top of the timing sheet on Friday night when he laid down an impressive 3.897-second at 328.78-mph blast aboard the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car to earn the provisional pole at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Capps and the Dean ‘Guido’ Antonelli/John Medlen-led team have been dominant during qualifying throughout the first eight events of 2021, having successfully earned a ‘top five’ qualifying position, including two poles, at each Camping World Series event contested thus far. With his Friday night Q1 run under the Sonoma Raceway lights, Capps appears to be on track to continue with his trend of starting race day from the quick half of the field.
“We’ve qualified in the top five at every race this year, and that’s pretty stout,” said Capps, a native of San Luis Obispo, Calif. who upstaged a field of 19 cars to earn the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot. “No, we haven’t gotten a Wally trophy yet, but it’s coming. We’re a win waiting to happen. I’m just lucky I get to drive this race car. I get to go up to the starting line, stand on the gas, and, knowing it’s going to be one of the fastest qualified cars almost every time, it’s a major confidence boost.”
Capps, a four-time Sonoma Nationals event winner, couldn’t think of a better place to pick up his first victory of the season than at Sonoma Raceway, a venue he considers a home track, and also one that holds a special place in his heart.
“I can’t say enough about Guido and John Medlen,” said Capps, reflecting on an emotional 2010 Sonoma victory achieved with Medlen calling the shots. “I won here with John Medlen and it was one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever experienced, especially given what we do to celebrate (his late son) Eric’s life here every year. So, with John and also Guido, who I’ve known forever, now working on the NAPA team, it was almost a little bit of destiny when Don Schumacher put the three of us together back in January after my former crew chief announced his retirement.”
Capps, who has advanced to the semifinals or better at three out of the last four events, is aiming to lock in his 28th No. 1 qualifier award on Saturday when qualifying continues at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
Provisional Qualifying Position: No. 1
The Results:
Q1: 3.897 E.T. at 328.78 MPH (Three bonus points for third-quickest run of the session)
DSR PR
