CAPPS SETS RECORD AT MARCH MEET

Ron Capps, who usually pilots the 8000-hp NAPA AUTO PARTS nitro Funny Car in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, spent his off-weekend (March 5-7) racing a Steve Plueger-owned Nostalgia Funny Car in Bakersfield, Calif., and set the class on its ear when he pulled out a stunning run in first round of eliminations of 5.675 seconds, which was backed up by his 5.703-second No. 1 qualifying run, to set a national record for the series.

Leah Pruett-LeDuc, in a second Steve Plueger-owned car, was the class champion and, although he went out in the second round of the 32-car eliminations when the L.A. Hooker Plymouth Arrow he was driving lost traction, Capps was more than thrilled with both their accomplishments at this historic event.

"The March Meet was a race I went to every year as a kid," he said, "so the chance to be able to run it again in a Nostalgia Funny Car, which I've gotten to do a few times, is a dream come true.

"Steve Plueger, who owns a two-car team, put together a car that was one of the more famous cars in the '70s. Growing up, I'd hear about the Snake (Don Prudhomme), Mongoose (Tom McEwen), Ace (Ed McCulloch), Don Schumacher, Raymond Beadle and the Blue Max, and Jungle Jim competing at the March Meet. So, when Steve called and said I was going to be able to drive the L.A. Hooker Funny Car that Dave Condit drove back then, it was pretty neat.

"And showing up there and having my teammate win the race was awesome. I had signed off on Leah’s license when she licensed in my Don Schumacher Racing teammate Jack Beckman's Funny Car a couple of years ago, and to be her teammate was terrific.

"To be low qualifier in both sessions and to be the first Nostalgia Funny Car in the 5.60s was incredible. These cars are so much fun to drive."