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Ron Capps Fights Hard Through Tough Midwest Nationals in St. Louis
Highlights
- Ron Capps struggled with traction during NHRA Midwest Nationals qualifying.
- Capps was eliminated in first round by Austin Prock on Sunday.
- Capps entered event sixth in Countdown with three races remaining.
- Capps honored as one of “Gateway’s Greatest” at St. Louis track.
- He qualified 13th after a clean 3.994-second run in final session.
- Next race: NHRA Texas FallNationals, October 16-18 at Texas Motorplex.
Ron Capps and the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car struggle at St. Louis, with traction issues in qualifying and a first‑round exit to Austin Prock at the Midwest Nationals.
Capps enters sixth in the Countdown with three races remaining in the six‑race playoff. The track usually suits him, and officials honor him as one of Gateway’s Greatest.
He remains the winningest Funny Car driver at the facility, first winning in 1997 on the event’s debut while driving for Don “The Snake” Prudhomme.
Friday’s opening run ends with early shake and lift. The second attempt also smokes the tires, leaving Capps outside the cut heading into Saturday.
A third-session strike of instant tire spin forces a shutdown. Sitting 18th with one attempt left, the team and crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli reset the approach.
Under pressure, Capps delivers the lone clean lap when it matters most.
The final-session run sticks. Capps posts 3.994 seconds at 327.35 mph to qualify 13th and secure a Sunday match‑up with Prock.
On race day he leaves on .063 seconds and records his quickest weekend pass, a 3.937 at 322.11 mph. Prock advances with a 3.872, the stronger package on the day.
Best E.T. 3.937s and .063 light still aren’t enough against Prock’s 3.872.
Capps credits the group’s persistence after a destabilizing qualifying phase. He notes support from NAPA Auto Parts and local McKay NAPA Auto Parts partners throughout a challenging weekend.
Through 17 events, the team counts three wins, one runner‑up, and four No. 1 qualifiers. OE TurboPower branding appears on the body, signaling a supplier partnership within the NAPA network.
With three races left, recovery potential remains. The next stop is the NHRA Texas FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, October 16–18, where Capps targets a reset.
Next up: Texas Motorplex, Oct 16–18. Capps remains sixth in the Countdown.
Further St. Louis coverage includes Lucas Oil Series action, rounding out a demanding weekend schedule for teams and fans.
Visual Summary
NAPA
Traction Troubles, Gritty Fight
Capps claws into the show – St. Louis heartbreak, championship dreams still burning.
Capps claws into the show – St. Louis heartbreak, championship dreams still burning.
Q1: Lost Traction
Q2: Tire Smoke
Q3: Spun Tires
Q4: 🔥 Clutch Pass – 3.994s, 327 MPH
Eliminated by Prock
Best: 3.937s, 322 MPH
Best: 3.937s, 322 MPH
17 Races
3 Wins
6th in Standings
3 Wins
6th in Standings
Honored as Gateway’s Greatest
➤
Next Up: NHRA Texas FallNationals
“We’ll fight to the finish. The championship dream’s not done yet!”
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
