Sometimes the toughest decisions made in drag racing are made when you’re straddling the fence. No one knows that better than Jon Capps. You know Jon, the sibling of NHRA POWERade Funny Car points leader Ron Capps. Ron is already there. Jon is the aspiring one.

Jon is the one who cut the legs from underneath his own dream. From the outside, one might think he made a mistake. But not Jon, he made the right decision in the best interests of the company who has trusted his expertise. It was a no-brainer, he concluded.

Jon serves as a product brand manager for the upstart Vegas Fuel energy drink. He had a choice to continue racing or play close to the vest and make a sound business decision.

The toughest part for Capps is that he had to make the decision to limit his drag racing program.

“The demands of staying ahead of the product got the best of us,” Capps said. “It is going so fast that it was going to be tough to stay ahead of the brand. It’s going to be smarter to cut back our schedule this season. It’s financially smarter for us to stay put.

Sometimes the toughest decisions made in drag racing are made when you’re straddling the fence. No one knows that better than Jon Capps. You know Jon, the sibling of NHRA POWERade Funny Car points leader Ron Capps. Ron is already there. Jon is the aspiring one.

Jon is the one who cut the legs from underneath his own dream. From the outside, one might think he made a mistake. But not Jon, he made the right decision in the best interests of the company who has trusted his expertise. It was a no-brainer, he concluded.

Jon serves as a product brand manager for the upstart Vegas Fuel energy drink. He had a choice to continue racing or play close to the vest and make a sound business decision.

The toughest part for Capps is that he had to make the decision to limit his drag racing program.

“The demands of staying ahead of the product got the best of us,” Capps said. “It is going so fast that it was going to be tough to stay ahead of the brand. It’s going to be smarter to cut back our schedule this season. It’s financially smarter for us to stay put.

“Chasing the points in the IHRA Funny Car program is just not the best for us right now.”

At that point, Capps made the decision for the future of the company and his well-being.

“I wear the hat of brand manager for the Vegas Fuel energy drink,” Capps said. “I am also the driver of the Vegas Fuel energy drink Nitro Funny Car. From one aspect, it’s a great deal for me. The other side sucks for me because I don’t get to drive.”

Capps said he still plans to run Indy, Las Vegas and Pomona on the NHRA side. His IHRA season is done.

“I have never been blamed for being a victim of my own success before, but this is certainly the case,” Capps said. “It takes so much to stay on top of it all. It’s a good problem to have. It’s a blessed curse that we have to put so much money into to fill orders and market the product.”

Capps reluctantly declines to speculate on what his plans are for next year.

“Right now we are only focusing on staying with Paul Smith Drag Racing School and his Funny Car team,” Capps said. “But there are other opportunities out there that we are looking at.”

On of those opportunities is the vacancy made possible by Gary Scelzi’s sabbatical following the 2007 season. Capps would love nothing more than to race alongside Ron. If he doesn’t get the gig, it’s not going to be because of a lack of a effort.

“My hat’s been so in the ring that it hurts,” Capps said. “From the minute I heard that program was available, I’m sure Gary Scelzi blocked me on his phone. I’ve been following Don Schumacher like a lost puppy. There’s more to it than being Ron Capps brother. There’s more to it than having an affiliation with people out here. Don is a very good businessman. If he feels that I am the right man, I will be in the position.”

Did he get through on the blocked calls?

“No … but I’m still trying,” Capps said.

Maybe someone will be in the market for a driver that will make the right decision, even if it knocks his legs from underneath.

Maybe Schumacher will answer the phone.