Defending Funny Car champion enters season without automaker deal after long-time partner turns him down.
NHRA/National Dragster
So many aspects of the NHRA Lucas Oil Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., went well for new independent team owner Ron Capps this past weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
He was No. 1 qualifier for the Camping World Drag Racing Series season opener, and he reached the final round.
But following his quarterfinal victory over Cruz Pedregon, he expressed displeasure being in no-man’s-land when it comes to a relationship with an automaker.
He had driven Dodges for Don Schumacher Racing for nearly two decades, but apparently that association has ended.
“I’m jealous of that Toyota Gazoo, that TGR body,” Capps said of the new Toyota Gazoo Supra that debuted in a competitive setting this weekend.
“I was with that other manufacturer for 17 years, and they didn’t want to come with me on this venture,” he said. “So hopefully I can get a ride here pretty soon with a good manufacturer.”
That statement was the first public one he had made about the situation, and it startled some of the longtime NHRA insiders, who are eager to see how this rift plays out in the next few weeks. But odds are strong that he won’t be driving a Dodge.
Alexis DeJoria drives one of the new Toyota Supra Funny Cars at Pomona.
NHRA/National Dragster
Keyword: New NHRA Funny Car Team Owner Ron Capps Throws Dodge/Mopar under Bus