Dixon, Capps Score Wins for Team Valvoline in Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 31, 2009) -- Larry Dixon captured the Top Fuel crown and Ron Capps won in Funny Car to give Team Valvoline a double victory at the NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.
It was the second win of the season for Dixon and the fourth for Capps. Dixon moved into fourth place in the Top Fuel standings while Capps remains first in Funny Car.
Dixon, who races for team owner Alan Johnson, defeated Clay Millican in the finals. Dixon's 1000-foot time and speed was 3.971 seconds at 301.74 miles per hour. Millican ran a 4.056 at 293.41.
Capps, out of the Don Schumacher racing stable, defeated Ashley Force Hood in the Funny Car final. Capps posted a 4.265 at 286.07 to Ashley's 4.495 at 238.26. Capps defeated Ashley's father, John Force, in the second round.
"It's great not to worry about points and not to look at the Countdown at all," said Capps. "I want to emphasize how hard Ace (crew chief Ed "The Ace" McCulloch) has worked. Obviously, he's trying to tune the car, but he's worked hard on making the car react better for me as a driver. It's something a lot of crew chiefs wouldn't do, and it's really given me a lot of confidence."
Tony Schumacher, who lost in the second round, remained first in Top Fuel points.
The next NHRA race is Sunday (June 7) at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
NHRA Full Throttle Series
May 31
Heartland Park Topeka
Topeka, Kan.
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 4th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 1st
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 6th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Next NHRA Event
June 7
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
