Pritchett’s third win regains points lead for Papa John’s Pizza; Capps, NAPA Dodge give DSR its fourth double-up in five races

HOUSTON – Don Schumacher Racing remains undefeated in Top Fuel and nearly perfect in Funny Car after five events this year when Leah Pritchett’s Papa John’s Pizza dragster team and reigning Funny Car world champion Ron Capps’ NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T team won their respective titles Sunday in the NHRA SpringNationals at Baytown, Texas.

It marks the 68th time DSR has swept the nitro titles in the same event and fourth time in five Mello Yello races this year.

While Pritchett won a close race against Steve Torrence, whose clutch specialist is her husband Gary, Capps wasn’t aware that opponent Robert Hight had been disqualified for crossing the center line when his Funny Car’s engine blew into a fireball just before he crossed the finish line.

Pritchett’s win with crew chief Todd Okuhara and assistant Joe Barlam regained the points lead they lost to DSR teammate Tony Schumacher three weeks ago.

“What our Papa John’s/FireAde team with Mopar and Pennzoil has done is incredible” she said. “You want to get fired up by being mad or hating the person you’re racing, but I can’t do that when we’re up there racing against great guys like my teammate Antron (Brown) or Steve.

“For Todd and my team, I say we’re good because I see it every day at the track and back at the shop.”

The NAPA Dodge Powered by Pennzoil team with crew chief Rahn Tobler and assistant Eric Lane won a title for the first time in 13 races going back to Seattle during last year’s championship season.

Capps and his NAPA AutoCare Centers crew qualified second with the most consistent car at the track with four qualifying four between 3.884 and 3.951 seconds at speeds ranging from 320.89 to 326.56 mph. They continued the pace until the final round and resulting fire in which he was not injured.

“Our NAPA Dodge was great all weekend and we won’t know what happened there,” said Capps, who won his 50th Funny Car trophy.

“I didn’t know we won because it was on fire and I couldn’t see the win light. After I got out of the car on the track, I had my arms up asking fans who won. One of the racers loading up his car gave me a thumbs up.

“I know we’re taking this trophy to our crewman and brother Joe Chrisman tonight. Joe had emergency surgery after we got to Houston and he’s still in the hospital. He’ll be fine, and I’m sure this will make him feel a lot better.”

The Mello Yello series moves east from Houston next week to near Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in the second of three Mello Yello events in three weeks.