May 08, 2009 The DIRTcar Western Allstars Late Model Series and NHRA Funny Car drag racing are two completely different motorsports disciplines, but straight-line
star Ron Capps will do his best to blur the distinctions between them this weekend. Capps, the current points leader in the powerful Funny Car division of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, plans to challenge the Western Allstars’ standouts this Saturday night (May 9) when the tour pays a visit to Santa Maria Speedway. “We’re thrilled to have Ron Capps joining us for a night of DIRTcar Western Allstars Late Model Series action at Santa Maria Speedway,” said DIRTcar Racing Western Region Director Chris Morgan, who oversees the operation of the Western Allstars. “He’s a nationally-known Funny Car racer but he loves to go dirt-track racing whenever he can, so a Western Allstars show in his homestate gives him a perfect opportunity to fill his dirt-track desires. “Special thanks goes out to NAPA Auto Parts, Forster Racing and Victory Circle Chassis for helping make Ron’s appearance a reality. This type of special event adds excitement to the DIRTcar Western Allstars Late Model Series and builds more momentum for the tour.” While the 43-year-old Capps has limited dirt-track experience, he’s made a number of starts on clay ovals in each of the last six years. His dirt debut came in 2003 behind the wheel of an open-wheel Midget in the famed indoor Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., and he returned to the Chili Bowl the following year. As for dirt Late Model racing, since 2005 Capps has competed annually in the Prelude to the Dream event – a huge early-summer charity race comprised of nationally-recognized drivers running dirt Late Models at NASCAR star Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio – and owns a top finish of fourth (2006).
Capps, who graduated from Santa Clara (Calif.) University (three-and-a-half hours north of Santa Maria Speedway) with a Bachelor of Science degree in software engineering, plans to once again enter next month’s Prelude to the Dream at Eldora. He also hopes to make additional Western Allstars appearances in 2009.