Ron Capps and Bob Tasca have something in common. They both don't have any issues with the NHRA awarding points to the top three qualifiers in each qualifying session and the honoring of records based on the current 1000 foot mark racing.

“I like it,” said Capps. Whether it's good timing or not, there are a lot of guys who are really iffy about it. To be honest, I have always hoped and been excited about when NHRA has made any change. For instance, the extra 20 points for being the points leader going into the Countdown, I love that. I would love to add race wins, like NASCAR had done to their Chase. This excites me.”

Tasca went a little farther with comments. He's here to race and he acknowledges while he races, the NHRA runs the show.

Ron Capps and Bob Tasca have something in common. They both don't have any issues with the NHRA awarding points to the top three qualifiers in each qualifying session and the honoring of records based on the current 1000 foot mark racing.

“I like it,” said Capps. Whether it's good timing or not, there are a lot of guys who are really iffy about it. To be honest, I have always hoped and been excited about when NHRA has made any change. For instance, the extra 20 points for being the points leader going into the Countdown, I love that. I would love to add race wins, like NASCAR had done to their Chase. This excites me.”

Tasca went a little farther with comments. He's here to race and he acknowledges while he races, the NHRA runs the show.

“It's not our decision, it's not our decision,” said Tasca, echoing his words to make a point. “It's not any racer's decision. We have an opinion. NHRA feels that they worry about quality of show, they want to see some more aggression during qualifying, to get to the 1 2 3 position, and they make the rules. Do I disagree with it? No, I don't disagree with it.”

Like Capps, Tasca questions the timing.

“I feel that, me, I wouldn't have just thought of it in the middle of the season, Bob Tasca, I wouldn't have just thought of it. But again, it's not Bob Tasca drag racing association. It's NHRA racing association. Did I know about it before it was announced? Yes, I talked to NHRA. They asked me my opinion. I gave them some opinions. I know some teams gave them some opinions. They made some changes, it's different than what the original proposal was going to be. I think it's much better than what the original proposal was gonna be. I don't see any issue why it makes a difference. I mean we're all gonna go into Charlotte, we're all gonna have an opportunity to be 1, 2 or 3. So that's my feeling.”

The show, as it is too often called, has clearly lacked the excitement typically found at an NHRA event during Saturday qualifying. Capps believes the changes will be a catalyst for both drivers and crew chiefs.

“I think a lot of times you try to find that edge on a Saturday or midday qualifying run and a lot of cars smoke the tires because they're trying to find what the track will hold for the next day given the same conditions. So, I believe that you are going to see better racing because teams are going to go down the track the quickest that they can but you are also going to have to make it to the finish line. So, I think it's going to be a little bit better show for the fans. It's a much better incentive for the teams. I can see where guys have a lot of problems problems with it, but to be honest with you I think it is going to spice things up.”

Just thinking of the possible extra points he can earn, sent Capps back to 2005 when he lost the Funny Car title to Gary Scelzi by eight points.

“Any chance you can gain little points here or lose little points here or there, I think is a good think. I am all for it,” said Capps.

As for honoring 1000 foot records, both Capps and Tasca love the idea. Capps went a little further in his assessment of the situation, wondering just what would be the baseline for the new records.

The problem I have with it, in talking with a lot of other teams, drivers and crew chiefs, were a couple of those runs. Are they using the four flat by Robert Hight and Antron's 3.77, or whatever? A couple of the runs that were made, Top Fuel and Funny weren't as quick as they were. The clocks weren't exactly right. So given that, I am not sure which runs they are picking. For instance, Antron's night run, I think they ran a 3.77, but it was admitted by their guys and the clocks with the strange incremental numbers, the run probably wasn't exactly (that fast). From what I heard it was admitted by Brian and Mark Oswald as well. So, the trick lies, which run are you picking to be a National record run for it to be broken and gained by twenty points. Again, I heard that the four flat that Robert ran in Virginia, the clocks were also very strange – incremental wise. From what I also heard, Jimmie Prock had said it probably didn't run that number that day.

“Which numbers do you pick as far as picking a number for Funny Car to be broken. I guarantee you when we get to Virginia again and the weather is cool and Dallas when the weather is kewl, for sure Vegas and Pomona, the chances are the record could fall, but which record are you going to pick. I am all for the extra 20 points. The fans have been wanting it. The chat rooms have been wanting it and the message boards have shone that people want the records. And, the racers, it gives you something to shoot at. I am all for that idea, I just wonder what they are going to use.”

The reasons behind the changes, racing one two or three for the title?

“It doesn't matter because you are stressed out anyway. Maybe it's bad timing, I'll give it that, but why not have more ways to score points. I don't say, 'Oh my god! We're dead, this is more ways we're going to lose points'. What kind of attitude is that? This is a chance for me to gain three more points per round and 20 points for breaking a record. It's going to make me strive harder and my crew to strive harder to gain those points every round and to gain a national record.

Tasca, who was far less analytical in his comments just welcomes the opportunity being able to set a record presents.

“I think it's good. I mean I think the fans...it gives them...it brings back an element of the sport that we took away, going to 1,000 feet. And as hard as it has been for some fans to go back to 1,000 feet, this gives that little element back. So I have no problem with it at all.

There was a third matter Tasca and Capps agreed upon. Simply put, there are more important issues drivers should concentrate on instead of wringing their hands over qualifying points and 1000 foot records.

 

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