Ron Capps scored a drag racing milestone by winning the NHRA Northwest Nationals from Seattle on Saturday. However, there was a twist for the NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored driver; he wasn't in Seattle when he sealed the deal.
Capps scored his 50th career NHRA national event victory, and shared the winner's podium in Brainerd, Minn., with teammate Antron Brown, in completing the rain-delayed event from two weeks ago.
Capps now has five wins in 16 races, enabling him to extend his lead in the Mello Yello Funny Car category to 209 points over Courtney Force with two events remaining in the regular season, which includes Sunday's final eliminations at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.
"It's unbelievable to me to have all those wins," said Capps, who defeated Del Worsham for the victory. "Every time I get into the car I still feel like a rookie. Every time I drive through the gates of a track, I'm ready to learn and listen to everything Tobler has to say; what he wants me to do, the calls he's going to make. I love soaking that up."
Top Fuel's Brown secured Don Schumacher Racing's fifth double-up victory of the season by stopping Steve Torrence in the final round. The defending NHRA Top Fuel champion's victory marked the 57th time since 2003 that DSR has swept the nitro competition in NHRA competition.
"This is fantastic," said team owner Don Schumacher after Capps posted the 50th event title of his career. "What can I say. Thank your Brainerd for giving us a great track, and thank you NHRA for getting it in great shape after all that rain."
Coverage of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals begins at 2 p.m. ET Sunday on FS1. The NHRA Northwest Nationals final for Pro Stock will be held on Labor Day weekend at the U.S. Nationals.
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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
