NHRA News: Capps unhurt in Chili Bowl flip (1/11/2004)

Capps unhurt in Chili Bowl flip

By Rob Geiger, NHRA.com
1/11/2004

"It was a spectacular wreck but I'm fine."
– Ron Capps

Funny Car driver Ron Capps' first race with the regular touring professionals at the 18th annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals ended with a nasty collision on the first lap of Saturday's "H" Main event. Braking hard to avoid a huge bunching of cars, Capps was hit from behind, which catapulted him into a series of four snap rolls that destroyed his car. Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Capps was uninjured in the incident.

The popular driver of Don "the Snake" Prudhomme's Skoal Racing Camaro had previously competed in a special celebrity race at the event. This year he piloted one of NASCAR champion Tony Stewart's powerful #20 machines, running well enough Thursday to successfully qualify for Saturday's racing action.

"Until that wreck I was having a great time," Capps said. "It was a spectacular wreck, I'm sure. It seemed like I was up there as high as the fence. But I'm fine. Before you called I had no idea that people were reporting I had broken my shoulder blade. That's just not the case.

Capps piloted one of Tony Stewart's
#20 midget cars at this year's Chili Bowl.
Racers Edge Photography

"I did go to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but I drove myself there. The on-site EMS people checked me out and said I was fine. You get rattled around in there pretty good when a car rolls like that so I just wanted to make sure everything was cool. It was, and I'm on my way to the airport right now."

Capps started on the inside of the fourth row in the 10-lap "H" Main event, one of a series of qualifying races for the main feature event run late Saturday at Tulsa Expo Raceway, a quarter-mile dirt oval in Tulsa, Okla.

"Everyone checked up in front of me," Capps said. "They were just about at a dead stop in that first turn. I got on the brakes but the guy behind me hit me pretty hard. That pushed me into the guy in front of me and when my tires came in contact with his it just launched me. I rolled four times, two real quick, and two slower ones."

Bereft of television coverage this year, Chili Bowl organizers cancelled the celebrity challenge they've held in year's past. Undaunted, Capps accepted the invitation from Stewart to drive one of his bright orange #20 rides.

"I almost felt a little guilty when I got there because there are guys that have driven for years in this deal that didn't have a ride," Capps said. "Then here comes this Funny Car racer who gets a seat in one of the best cars there. I mean, all of their equipment in first-class."

Capps' teammates for the event included World of Outlaw champion Danny Lasoski, NASCAR great Ken Schrader, and Team Stewart newcomer Josh Wise.

One thing is certain, Capps always has a good time when he's in a racecar.
Racers Edge Photography

The weekend started with Capps racing in a 10-lap heat Thursday afternoon, where he finished fifth. That moved him into the first 12-lap "C" Feature Thursday evening, where an 11th-place ranking qualified him for Saturday's action. In all, over 200 drivers competed in this year's Chili Bowl.

"The prelims were awesome," Capps said. "I led one heat for most of the race. I couldn't believe I was out front but the car I had was bad ass. The whole time I thought the pack was right behind me but Lasoski said I was pulling away from them."

Eventually, the experienced chase group caught up to Capps and, with three laps to go, he was spun around by another driver, dropping him back in the final standings.

"I learn so much every time I race these things," Capps said. "Even though the cars are totally different I know this is enhancing my ability to drive a Funny Car. Most of what we do is about instinct and how you react to things happening around you. That's something that translates to any form of racing. Of course, it's always nice when your coach is Tony Stewart. I had a blast again this year and the guys said they'll have a spot for me next year if I want it."

Aside from his midget car experience, Capps has taken several laps in IROC cars and is under consideration for a coveted seat in that exclusive series.

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