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Fuller, Capps Claim Runner-up Finishes for Valvoline in NHRA Finals
The NHRA season-ending race at Auto Club Speedway in Pomona, Calif. produced two runner-up finishes for Team Valvoline. Rod Fuller finished second to Larry Dixon in the Top Fuel dragster category and Ron Capps was edged out in the Funny Car final by Cruz Pedregon.
Pedregon also clinched the Funny Car season championship, finishing ahead of Valvoline driver Tim Wilkerson, who was eliminated in the first round by John Force.
"It's been a terrific year for our team and my group of young guys," said Wilkerson after Sunday's first-round defeat. "They just do a superb job."
Jack Beckman, driver of the Valvoline Dodge for Don Schumacher Racing, reached the semifinal round and finished third in the final point standings.
Valvoline Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher, who clinched his sixth season championship two weeks ago in Las Vegas, lost in the quarterfinal round to Fuller. It was the first time in 12 races Schumacher did not make it to the final round. He ended the season with 15 wins.
"We had one heck of a year," said Schumacher. "This season will be talked about for a long time by a lot of people."
The following are Valvoline Racing NHRA Team Results
NHRA POWERade Series
Nov. 16, 2008
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, Calif.
Top Fuel:
Antron Brown, David Powers Motorsports
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 5th
Rod Fuller, David Powers Motorsports
Runner-up
Point Standing: 6th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 1st
Bob Vandergriff Jr., Vandergriff Motorsports
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 13th
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 8th
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 14th Jerry Toliver, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 15th Tim Wilkerson
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 2nd Pro Stock
Ron Krisher
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 10th Pro Stock Motorcycle
Chip Ellis
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 6th Craig Treble
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 8th
