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Team Valvoline Strikes Early in '09; Capps Takes Funny Car Win in NHRA Rain-Delayed Opener
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2009) -- The NHRA season-opening Kragen O'Reilly Winternationals concluded Tuesday after five days of rain delays at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
For Team Valvoline driver Ron Capps the wait turned out to be a non issue. He prevailed in the Funny Car class, winning his first national event since mid season of 2007. It was also his 26th career victory.
Led by crew chief Ed "The Ace" McCulloch, Capps pounced on 14-time champion John Force in the first round. Capps went on to defeat Bob Tasca in the quarterfinals, Robert Hight in the semifinals and then disposed of Jim Head in the finals. Capps' Dodge Charger covered the 1,000-foot run in the final round in 4.154 seconds at 296.96 miles per hour.
"In the final, it actually dropped a magneto about a second and a half into the run and then it picked back up later in the run," said Capps, who drives for Don Schumacher Racing. "I told Ace it was pretty impressive to still run what it ran in the final. We did what we had to do. Of course, the first round was huge, beating Force and having to pedal it. It was dicey."
The persistent Southern California rain wreaked havoc for a number of top teams due to only one qualifying pass. Team Valvoline drivers -- Larry Dixon of the new Alan Johnson Top Fuel team and Funny Car racer Tim Wilkerson -- did not qualify for the opener.
The event's Top Fuel winner was Doug Kalitta and the Pro Stock victory went to Jason Line.
The following are Valvoline Racing NHRA Team Results
NHRA Full Throttle Series
Feb. 10
Kragen O'Reilly Winternationals
Auto Club Raceway
Pomona, Calif.
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 17th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th (tied)
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th (tied)
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 8th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 14th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 17th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 13th
Next NHRA Event
Feb. 22
Phoenix
