Ron Capps Captures Provisional Pole at NHRA Norwalk Nationals

NORWALK, OH – Aboard the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, 2016 NHRA Norwalk Nationals champion Ron Capps clocked a blistering 3.888-second E.T. to earn the provisional No. 1 spot after day one of qualifying at the 2021 Norwalk, Ohio event.

While the NAPA team’s top-seeded run was welcome, it certainly was not unexpected. Capps, who earned his 26th No. 1 qualifier at the season-opener in Gainesville, Fla., has an excellent qualifying record through the first six races of the year, with his ‘worst’ effort yielding a No. 5 starting position. Capps, who qualified second at the most recent event in Epping, N.H., will make two more runs tomorrow as he battles to fend off his competitors who are vying for his position at the top of the ladder.

“You always want to take full advantage of the conditions during these Friday night sessions, but it was a little strange today with the weather,” explained Capps referring to the day’s on-and-off rain showers. “We know that the weather tomorrow might be similar, so by no means is that run ‘safe’ in the No. 1 spot. This track will hold whatever you throw at it; it’s a great race track.

“I’m so happy for ‘Guido’ (Dean Antonelli), John (Medlen), and the whole NAPA AutoCare team; they gave me a great race car,” he added of his Q1 pass, which ended with Capps stopping just short of the sand trap after his parachutes failed to deploy. “Thank goodness I have NAPA Brakes on my car because I was headed straight for the sand. I gave the lever a couple of pushes, and luckily, it stopped a few feet shy of the beach.”

If he is able to maintain his No. 1 position, it will be his 27th pole and second of the season. Capps, a two-time winner in 2020, is seeking his first victory of the year and second Norwalk ‘ice cream scoop’ trophy.

“We’ve been qualifying well; we just haven’t had the breaks that result with ending our weekend in the winner’s circle,” said No. 6 ranked Capps. “Funny Car is as tough as it’s ever been, and I know I say that every year, but it truly is.”

Provisional Qualifying Position: No. 1

The Results:
Q1: 3.888 E.T. at 329.34 MPH

Bonus Points: Three