Ron Capps ran so quick in first day qualifying at the NHRA New England Nationals, the decals could hardly stay on his Dodge Charger.
Capps drove his way to the second quickest NHRA Funny Car run of all time of 3.865 seconds at 325.92 mph.
Joining Capps atop the Friday leaderboard at New England Dragway, located 60 miles outside of Boston, Mass., was Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Jason Line (Pro Stock).
Not even frazzled decals could deter Capps from picking up a total of five bonus points for the quickest run of the first session and second quickest in the Q-2 session.
"Heckuva job by Tobler. Don (Schumacher is) out here and it's always nice to show off for the boss, and we have a lot of NAPA friends here from Maine and Boston," said Capps. "That was a handful. It started to wash out early, and I was fighting to keep it straight. Then it started to wash out again and lifted the front end up. To be honest, I almost shut it off because I thought it was in trouble. I'm glad I didn't."
Capps led a Don Schumacher Racing-dominated Friday as two-time 2016 winner Matt Hagan settled into second with a 3.868 at 329.75 mph, followed by Tommy Johnson Jr. in third with a 3.885, 326.95 mph performance.
Torrence established a New England Top Fuel track record as he thundered to a 3.710 ET at 325.92 mph to edge his data-sharing teammate Brittany Force, who was a close second with a 3.729. Tony Schumacher quickest with a 3.743, 325.61.
“I’m really happy with the way things have gone,” said Torrence. “I did not think that .71 would stay low for the night. I’m fortunate and happy to be here.”
Doug Kalitta, in the midst of three consecutive race wins this season, was No. 6 after two sessions with a 3.767, 326.71 mph performance.
Line maintained the KB Racing domination as he led both Friday sessions on the strength of a 6.567 elapsed time at 211.13 mph. Teammate Bo Butner is just a tick behind with a 6.568, 210.77.
Vincent Nobile is third with a 6.573.
“We have a ways to go, all the other cars are running good they’ve gained on us for sure, so we’ve got work to do,” said Line.
In a shocking twist, KB Racing's Greg Anderson failed to make the first-day cut with a 6.747 ET.
Thus far this season KB Racing has won all eight national events, qualified No. 1 each outing and led every qualifying session since NHRA mandated the fuel injection combination on the class.
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Bobby Bennett is the Publisher/Editor of CompetitionPlus.com, a leading independent online drag racing magazine, since 1999. For the latest in dragster news worldwide, visit www.competitionplus.com or follow on Twitter @competitionplus
