---

NHRA: Capps ends Funny Car drought, Heads to Texas riding wave of confidence

18 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

ENNIS, Texas - The streak is finally over. Ron Capps, who endured a 46-race absence from the NHRA winner's circle that lasted for nearly two years, tasted success once again in Funny Car competition.

After going 0 for 6 in final round appearances this season, the Vista, Calif., driver put an end to his runner-up blues recently in Memphis, Tenn., and in the process gained enough Winston championship points to vault past WWF Racing's Jerry Toliver into second place overall, 290 behind leader John Force.

Certainly, Capps hopes to feed off the positive energy generated by winning again and keep the victory streak alive at the 15th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec, Oct. 19-22 at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas. The $1.9 million race is the 21st of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Capps knows exactly what he must do if he's to have any shot at catching runaway leader Force, an eight-time winner this season in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. Capps needs to win more races, while at the same time, Force needs to pick up a few first round losses.

"You've got to set goals," said Capps, driver of the Don Prudhomme-owned U.S. Tobacco Chevrolet Camaro. "Force is out there and he's pretty much clinched it - mathematically maybe not, but realistically he has. You've got to have something to get your guys motivated."

Text Provided By Anthony Vestal

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.