Every good book has an opening chapter.

For NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car points leader Ron Capps the opening chapter in his growing bestseller began with a 1997 victory at Gateway International Raceway, the site of his first career nitro Funny Car victory.

He’s since added victories in 2005 and 2007, and with the points lead and three victories thus far in 2009, he’s looking to add another winning chapter during this weekend’s NHRA O’Reilly Midwest Nationals.

"Any time this track across the bridge from St. Louis shows up on the schedule it's pretty exciting for me personally because it's where I got my first professional win in Funny Car," said Capps. "And it was the inaugural race at this track.

Funny Car Point Leader in the Midst of Strong Season …

Every good book has an opening chapter.

For NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car points leader Ron Capps the opening chapter in his growing bestseller began with a 1997 victory at Gateway International Raceway, the site of his first career nitro Funny Car victory.

He’s since added victories in 2005 and 2007, and with the points lead and three victories thus far in 2009, he’s looking to add another winning chapter during this weekend’s NHRA O’Reilly Midwest Nationals.

"Any time this track across the bridge from St. Louis shows up on the schedule it's pretty exciting for me personally because it's where I got my first professional win in Funny Car," said Capps. "And it was the inaugural race at this track.

"I used to hear a lot of the legends I've been able to be around - Don Prudhomme, Don Schumacher and (tuner) Roland Leong -  talk about the old St. Louis track. And when they redid the track and opened it in 1997 it was a pretty big deal. And to win the inaugural race there was something else.”

Prior to the 2007 season the event was staged during the last weekend of June in oppressive heat which could often exceed 100 degrees. Race officials adjusted the schedule of the event and instead made it an evening event with the first round staged in the late afternoon when most events would traditionally wrap up.

In 2007 the event was moved to the cooler confines of May. However, this time of the year traditionally intersects with wet conditions and thunderstorms.

This weekend’s forecast calls for thunderstorms on Friday, a clear Saturday and some rain on Sunday.

"I'm not sure what the weather is going to hold this weekend, but we've had weather changes at every race this year and I think when you look at the Full Throttle points in Funny Car right now it just shows you how tough everything is.”

Capps leads his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Jack Beckman by 69 points and Ashley Force Hood by 70. The competition isn’t expected to slack up this weekend.

That’s why Capps wants to make his presence known from the first day of the event.

"I don't see it getting any easier in Funny Car, believe me. To be holding the points lead right now is an amazing thing in this category because the competition level is so high, as everybody has seen. We don't expect to lose the points lead; we feel like we can win every race.

"The Friday night qualifying session is going to be critical in St. Louis," added Capps. "Even though it's still going to be light out, that 6:30 p.m. Friday night session is going to be THE session to lock yourself into that top 12 because what's more than likely to happen is the sun is going to be out on Saturday and you probably won't be able to advance your position very well, if at all."
 

Advertisement