Capps and Scelzi race mini sprints
It didn't take long before Ron Capps was back on a race track following the completion of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. He buckled himself into the seat of a Super 600 Mini Sprint last Saturday to compete against 45 similar race cars, including one driven by his soon-to-be-former teammate Gary Scelzi, at Park Plaza Raceway in Visalia, Calif.
After qualifying 14th, Capps came in 11th in the main event, while Scelzi, who qualified third, saw his day end in his heat race following a spectacular crash in which he rolled four times.
"I led my heat race until two laps to go, when I got passed and ended up third,” Capps said. “The top four transferred to the 30-lap main event, so I was still OK.
"In the same heat Scelzi had a pretty bad crash, which brought out the red flag. It was a little disheartening to come around during the red flag and see Gary's car upside down. But he was OK.
"Finishing 11th was pretty good because the track got pretty bumpy at times. It was a good experience. These guys are inches away and with open-wheel cars like these it takes just a few tires to touch and somebody goes for a ride. It was amazing to me how close and clean everybody raced throughout the night. To be honest with you, in the last four or five laps I was pretty much hanging on to the wheel for dear life. It was so bumpy and I'm just not used to wheeling one of those cars for 30 laps. It definitely gave me a workout."
"We all had such a good time last year at the 'Scelzi and Friends' event that Capps said he wanted to do it again on an off weekend, and so we did,” Scelzi explained. “The Shaws made up hats for us that said 'Team Scelzi, in memory of Scott Kalitta,' and 'Team Capps, in memory of Eric Medlen.' So, it was an emotional tribute to both of these drivers, and that was very heartwarming for all of us." (Gus Reyes photos) [12/2/2008]
RFC auctions Force helmet, tickets
Racers for Christ is currently conducting an eBay auction for an autographed John Force helmet along with an NHRA Fan Experience for an upcoming 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series national event of the winning bidder’s choosing. The helmet was recently autographed by the 14-time Funny Car champion at the conclusion of the 2008 NHRA POWERade season.
The total package includes: 1. A helmet signed by John Force. This is an un-worn display quality helmet; 2. Two full event tickets to the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event of the winning bidder’s choice; 3. Access for two to a "Meet and Greet" with John Force and all the John Force Racing team drivers in the John Force Racing pit on Friday or Saturday of the event that you choose; and 4. A personalized photo of you and John Force provided by professional photographer Richard Shute.
The auction will conclude on the evening of December 9 and the helmet will be delivered by Christmas. Shipping is free.
Visit the auction at here. [12/2/2008]
Quarter mile for all IHRA events in 2009
The International Hot Rod Association, a division of Feld Entertainment, Inc., will keep its current quarter-mile format for all Nitro Jam national event races next season. This traditional drag racing format is what works best for IHRA as a sanctioning body, its racers and fans according to IHRA vice president of racing operations, Skooter Peaco.
“With our cars, our speeds, our drivers and our safety precautions in place we feel we can safely maintain our current format,” Peaco said of quarter-mile Nitro racing. “We are an organization that is known for making big changes when we need to. We tend to make conservative decisions in this area and have completely stopped racing at events when conditions existed that were outside our comfort zone regardless of the class we were running at the time. By no means is our decision to continue quarter mile an attempt to stick our heads in the sand and pretend our sport doesn't need to address these issues. This decision is simply no different than ones we have made in the past.
“We will continue to monitor the speeds our cars produce, continue to have open conversations with our drivers and adjust as necessary. We have to make decisions based on IHRA nitro teams and our unique situation. Nothing is more important than our driver's safety.” [12/2/2008]