Capps is first Funny Car driver to clinch a spot in Countdown

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2009 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 15 of 24
FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, Calif.
July 24-26, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

CAPPS IS FIRST FUNNY CAR DRIVER TO CLINCH A SPOT IN COUNTDOWN

SONOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2009) - Ron Capps became the first Funny Car driver
to clinch a spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, which begin for the top 10
in points following the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend.
The final six events of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will
decide the 2009 Funny Car champion.

Capps, driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Funny Car, was assured a place in
the Countdown after making his first qualifying attempt at the FRAM-Autolite
Nationals in Sonoma, Calif., today. That lap of 4.215 seconds at 288.95 mph
was good for No. 5 at the time, but a mechanical problem in the second pass
caused him to shut down at the starting line, aborting the run. He slipped
to 13th place and out of the top 12.

Two more rounds of qualifying on Saturday will determine the 16-car field
for Sunday¹s eliminations.

"Obviously, it feels great to have clinched a spot in the Countdown,² said
Capps, the Funny Car class points leader with five national-event wins this
season. ³We have a lot of unfinished business. We want to stay No. 1 going
into the Countdown. But to know that you're already going to be involved in
the Countdown takes a little bit of pressure off, for sure.

"And now we can sit back and watch everybody else battle."

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