Schumacher, Capps Score NHRA Wins for Team Valvoline in Vegas
It was another successful weekend of racing for Team Valvoline. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Ron Capps (Funny Car) captured wins in their respective categories at the NHRA national event in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS (April 5, 2009) -- Team Valvoline took home two wins in Sunday's NHRA national event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The double victory included wins by Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel and Ron Capps in Funny car. Both drivers are members of the high-profile Don Schumacher Racing team.
The victory was the second straight for Schumacher, who won last week in Houston. For Capps, it was his third win of the season -- he won the first two races -- in Pomona, Calif. and Phoenix.
Both Schumacher and Capps lead their categories in the NHRA Full Throttle Series point standings.
Schumacher defeated Brandon Bernstein in the final with a 1,000-foot run of 3.874 seconds at 311.77 miles per hour. Bernstein's losing numbers were: 4.003 at 295.66.
"The team won today," said Schumacher of his 58th career victory. "I didn't do it with a great driving job like I did in Houston. What a great tune-up we had. They carried me today. It (the dragster) went right down the track every time. It's fantastic." Capps defeated Valvoline and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagen in the Funny Car final with a run of 4.182 at 297.81. Hagen was clocked at 4.335 at 248.89. "I was asked several times by the media what was wrong," said Capps, referring to his two first-round losses of the season following victories in the first two events, "and I just never worried. Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) needed to get in his comfort zone." This was the 21st time that Don Schumacher Racing teams have won two separate categories at the same NHRA national event. Ron Krisher, last week's Team Valvoline Pro Stock winner in Houston, did not qualify for the Las Vegas event.
NHRA Full Throttle Series
March 29, 2009
Houston Raceway Park
Baytown, Texas
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 7th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 2nd
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 11th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
The category did not compete in Las Vegas
Next NHRA Event
April 19
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, Ga.
