CAPPS: PLAYING THE GAME
Tue, 2009-02-17 16:00
Capps Combines Caution and Aggression in One Potent Combination …
Ron Capps believes a driver is only as good as his last run, not to mention his last race.
His last run was a final round win; his first since the 2007 season. It’s a feat that enables him to open Friday’s NHRA Lucas Slick Mist Nationals from the rear of qualifying, the most advantageous spot in what is usually a baseline session.
Capps and tuner Ed “Ace” McCulloch can watch the competition and make tuning changes while awaiting their opportunity to make a tuning run. That opportunity can be the determining factor as to whether they calm down the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge or turn the wick up and go for the jugular early in the event. Capps Combines Caution and Aggression in One Potent Combination …
Ron Capps believes a driver is only as good as his last run, not to mention his last race.
His last run was a final round win; his first since the 2007 season. It’s a feat that enables him to open Friday’s NHRA Lucas Slick Mist Nationals from the rear of qualifying, the most advantageous spot in what is usually a baseline session.
Capps and tuner Ed “Ace” McCulloch can watch the competition and make tuning changes while awaiting their opportunity to make a tuning run. That opportunity can be the determining factor as to whether they calm down the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge or turn the wick up and go for the jugular early in the event.
If they succeed early, it could be the difference in the competition having a chance or Capps running roughshod.
Capps has become leery over the past few seasons of how running roughshod early in the game can lead to an early exit, and early embarrassment.
He can credit the NHRA’s championship format with that feeling of apprehension.
If the star burns too bright, too early – it can be the difference between winning his first world championship or a decorated veteran such as John Force or one of the Pedregon brothers taking home the crown.
Capps has become seasoned thanks to experiences such as 2007, when he became the man to beat early only to watch Tony Pedregon pass him by for the title.
"We learned how to race the Countdown in the past, especially the first year (2007)," said Capps, the points leader after one event. "We led the standings all the way through the year and then we had the Countdown kick in and we fell back. We, and I believe every other competitor, learned it didn't matter where you were in points going into the Countdown.”
It took all of 2008 for Capps to get over the 2007 disappointment, but along the way, he learned a valuable lesson from the brother of the man who beat him two years ago. It isn’t how you start the race, but how you finish that counts.
"Cruz (Pedregon) proved that last year,” Capps explained, discussing the defending champion’s 2007 run. “I think he went into the Countdown fifth or so and demonstrated that you didn't need to be first, second or third in the points going into the Countdown to win a championship.”
Competition beware, Capps doesn’t plan to sandbag en route to challenging for the 2009 title.
“As a team Ace and I and the NAPA guys are going to focus on winning races this year and let the points all fall into place, rather than look at the big picture of getting into the Countdown,” Capps admitted. “We're going to attack every race like it's a must-win situation.
"That methodical approach by Ace came into effect in Pomona. It just showed throughout the weekend that even with the addition of two days and having to race the final three rounds on Tuesday, everyone on the NAPA team kept their composure and we were able to get up and get motivated for each race, and come out the winner."
Capps was the Funny Car winner at Firebird International Raceway in 2003, No. 1 qualifier in 2000 and runner-up three times (1998, 2000, 2005).
The odds are certainly stacked in his favor this weekend.
"Going to a place where you've won before is always a good thing for any team," he said. "But, these days you just can't take the data that you had from a previous year anymore. We did test there a few weeks ago but we were also on a mission to test things out of the ordinary and we didn't go past half-track. The track will be different this weekend than it was in testing. I think after just having one qualifying shot to get into the show in Pomona, it will be nice to have all four runs in Phoenix.”
Four wins from the champion’s vantage point will be even better.
"It will be nice to show up on Friday and be at the back of the pack in qualifying in the first session and concentrate on getting our NAPA car qualified in the top of the field," Capps surmised.
Ron Capps believes a driver is only as good as his last run, not to mention his last race.His last run was a final round win; his first since the 2007 season. It’s a feat that enables him to open Friday’s NHRA Lucas Slick Mist Nationals from the rear of qualifying, the most advantageous spot in what is usually a baseline session.
Capps and tuner Ed “Ace” McCulloch can watch the competition and make tuning changes while awaiting their opportunity to make a tuning run. That opportunity can be the determining factor as to whether they calm down the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge or turn the wick up and go for the jugular early in the event. Capps Combines Caution and Aggression in One Potent Combination …
Ron Capps believes a driver is only as good as his last run, not to mention his last race.His last run was a final round win; his first since the 2007 season. It’s a feat that enables him to open Friday’s NHRA Lucas Slick Mist Nationals from the rear of qualifying, the most advantageous spot in what is usually a baseline session.
Capps and tuner Ed “Ace” McCulloch can watch the competition and make tuning changes while awaiting their opportunity to make a tuning run. That opportunity can be the determining factor as to whether they calm down the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge or turn the wick up and go for the jugular early in the event.
If they succeed early, it could be the difference in the competition having a chance or Capps running roughshod.
Capps has become leery over the past few seasons of how running roughshod early in the game can lead to an early exit, and early embarrassment.
He can credit the NHRA’s championship format with that feeling of apprehension.
If the star burns too bright, too early – it can be the difference between winning his first world championship or a decorated veteran such as John Force or one of the Pedregon brothers taking home the crown.
Capps has become seasoned thanks to experiences such as 2007, when he became the man to beat early only to watch Tony Pedregon pass him by for the title.
"We learned how to race the Countdown in the past, especially the first year (2007)," said Capps, the points leader after one event. "We led the standings all the way through the year and then we had the Countdown kick in and we fell back. We, and I believe every other competitor, learned it didn't matter where you were in points going into the Countdown.”
It took all of 2008 for Capps to get over the 2007 disappointment, but along the way, he learned a valuable lesson from the brother of the man who beat him two years ago. It isn’t how you start the race, but how you finish that counts.
"Cruz (Pedregon) proved that last year,” Capps explained, discussing the defending champion’s 2007 run. “I think he went into the Countdown fifth or so and demonstrated that you didn't need to be first, second or third in the points going into the Countdown to win a championship.”
Competition beware, Capps doesn’t plan to sandbag en route to challenging for the 2009 title.
“As a team Ace and I and the NAPA guys are going to focus on winning races this year and let the points all fall into place, rather than look at the big picture of getting into the Countdown,” Capps admitted. “We're going to attack every race like it's a must-win situation.
"That methodical approach by Ace came into effect in Pomona. It just showed throughout the weekend that even with the addition of two days and having to race the final three rounds on Tuesday, everyone on the NAPA team kept their composure and we were able to get up and get motivated for each race, and come out the winner."
Capps was the Funny Car winner at Firebird International Raceway in 2003, No. 1 qualifier in 2000 and runner-up three times (1998, 2000, 2005).
The odds are certainly stacked in his favor this weekend.
"Going to a place where you've won before is always a good thing for any team," he said. "But, these days you just can't take the data that you had from a previous year anymore. We did test there a few weeks ago but we were also on a mission to test things out of the ordinary and we didn't go past half-track. The track will be different this weekend than it was in testing. I think after just having one qualifying shot to get into the show in Pomona, it will be nice to have all four runs in Phoenix.”
Four wins from the champion’s vantage point will be even better.
"It will be nice to show up on Friday and be at the back of the pack in qualifying in the first session and concentrate on getting our NAPA car qualified in the top of the field," Capps surmised.
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