Tight Funny Car Battle Moves to Richmond as Capps Aims to Erase One-Point Deficit

DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 3, 2006) - Brut Revolution Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Ron Capps is braced for another barn-burner of a Funny Car championship battle, as he and John Force head to Virginia Motorsports Park this weekend for the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals entrenched in a see-saw battle for the crown. Force holds a meager one-point lead over Capps following Sunday's race in Reading, Pa.

With just three events remaining in the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Force teammate Robert Hight is also in the mix, following two wins and a runner-up finish in the last three events. He is just 35 points behind Force, 34 in back of Capps.

Last year, Capps' teammate Gary Scelzi, Capps and Force were in a scuffle for the title, which went down to the final race. Scelzi won his first championship by eight points over Capps. Force came in third. Capps is aiming for his first Funny Car title following three runner-up season finishes.

This weekend's event, sponsored by DSR team sponsor Torco Race Fuels, will mark the first held at this venue - located just south of Richmond, Va. - since 2000, which should make it a level playing field for all.

"I used to love coming here," said Capps, who was runner-up against Force at the last NHRA pro event held here in 2000. "I tell you, it couldn't be better for Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels because this event has been thrown right in the middle of a points race.

"It's a place we haven't been to in a long while, so it's kind of an unknown as far as the track surface is concerned. But it's the same for everyone.

"The crew chiefs will have to see when they get here. I drove Top Fuel here as a rookie, and we had pretty good success here in Funny Car.

"Everybody is also watching the weather. We expected to see cooler conditions in Virginia in October. At this point, it looks like there could be warm weather."

Capps' goal is to regain the Funny Car points lead, which he relinquished in Reading on Sunday by losing first round. "I always feel very confident with (team consultant) Dan Olson and (crew chief) Ace (Ed McCulloch). What happened in Reading is just something you have to put behind you. It's like playing golf. If you dwell on how bad you played hole one, you're not going to play hole two very well. We just have to concentrate on making our next race the best we can do. It's exciting right now; it's going to be a lot of fun."