Capps fifth quickest in Vegas testing

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
PRE-SEASON TESTING
THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
JAN. 21-23, 2005

CAPPS FIFTH QUICKEST IN VEGAS TESTING

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 23, 2005) - Ron Capps, although not yet officially announced
as the driver of the Brut Dodge Stratus Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing,
impressed and was impressed during this weekend's pre-season testing at The
Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Capps posted the fifth quickest pass of the season of 4.759 seconds, and ran
his career fastest speed in a Funny Car of 326.71 mph. His other passes
included a 4.786/315.12 and a 4.812/317.34.

"It was a great weekend for us, actually," he said. "For a lot of these
teams that were out here running it was more of a practice weekend. For us
it was really a test session, because obviously I'm a new driver on the
team, and I'm back together with Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) and Ace is
with a new car and a new chassis. And with Dan Olson's excellent input as
co-crew chief it was all pretty much as planned. That was neat. If we keep
this up we'll be great for Pomona (at the season-opener Feb. 10-13).

"To run a .78 in our first full pass, then to run  a .75 in the very hottest
part of the day was awesome. And to run the big speed, the fastest that I've
ever gone, was terrific. This Dodge body is just a dream to drive.

"We're going to go to Phoenix and test there (next weekend) and just be
ready for Pomona. I was probably the most nervous I've been in my career
this weekend and it was probably the funnest at the same time. It's been
kind of an emotional weekend."

"The cooperation among all three of the Schumacher Funny cars, with Lee
Beard (Whit Bazemore's crew chief) and Mike Neff (Gary Scelzi's crew chief)
and the teams is excellent," added McCulloch. "If we can keep the
communications open like they've been this weekend we can race (John)
Force."