Feverish Capps feels good when thinking how well his NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car will run at Phoenix

February 15

Everyone knows how miserable it feels to have a 102-degree fever.

You're hot. You're cold. And sore all over.

Most would call in sick to work and stay under blankets.

But Ron Capps can't take a few sick days away from his office.

The veteran driver of the NAPA AUTO PARTS Funny Car woke up sick with a high fever Sunday morning. He not only showed up for work but advanced to the semifinals round of the NHRA Winternationals on a cold, dreary day at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Calif.

"Fever this morning and feel like I was run over by a Freightliner truck," Capps posted Tuesday on his Twitter.com account (@NapaRonCapps).

He promises to be with his Don Schumacher Racing team when it arrives in Phoenix for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Capps, who won the Phoenix title in 2009 and was runner-up there in 2005, was pleased with how crew chief "General" Tim Richards had his NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T running at Pomona.

"It's encouraging going into Phoenix," he said of the car's performance before leaving Pomona on Sunday.

"The best part about having a guy like the General is when we get conditions that are warm and marginal track conditions that aren't like they were here at Pomona you have to have the experience and be a savvy crew chief to be able to back the car down and he has that.

"The best part is looking around at the crew guys. We just lost, but they are encouraged. They are excited and can't wait to go to the next race. That means a lot."

FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (after first of 23 events)
1. John Force 114
2. Mike Neff 95
3. Ron Capps 73
3. Gary Densham 73
5. Jack Beckman 62
6. Courtney Force 52
7. Todd Lesenko 51
7. Tim Wilkerson 51
8. Robert Hight 41
10. Robert Tasca III 39
11. Johnny Gray 38
12. Matt Hagan 34

THIS WEEK
NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Ariz.
Friday: Pro qualifying, 1:30 and 4 p.m.
Saturday: Pro qualifying, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday: Pro eliminations, 11 a.m.


About NAPA AUTO PARTS
NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America's growing need for a world-class auto parts distribution system. By providing excellent customer service for more than 80 years, NAPA has become the industry leader.
NAPA's strength is unrivaled, with over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, 64 Distribution Centers, than 13,000 NAPA AutoCare, AutoCare Collision and Truck Service repair facilities, over 400,000 parts in inventory every day and the convenience of 24-hour shopping with NAPAonline. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores provide friendly, personalized service. Our highly trained and experienced professionals are here to help you get the job done. With our huge in-stock inventory, NAPA provides the parts you need when you need them.

For your automotive repair needs, NAPA AutoCare and AutoCare Collision and Truck Service Centers can handle everything from preventive maintenance to major repairs. Technicians at NAPA AutoCare Centers have access to the most extensive training in the automotive industry. Qualifying repairs are backed by the NAPA AutoCare "Peace of Mind" Warranty, providing our customers with 12-months/12,000 miles of worry-free protection on qualifying parts and labor. Wherever you may travel, our warranty is honored at all NAPA AutoCare Center locations across the country.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of seven professional NHRA teams: in Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the FRAM/Prestone dragster of Spencer Massey and the Matco Tools dragster of Antron Brown; and in Funny Car, 2011 NHRA Funny Car champion Matt Hagan in the Aaron's Dream Machine/Mopar Dodge Charger R/T, Valvoline NextGen Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Service Central Dodge of Johnny Gray. DSR has won 174 NHRA national event titles and nine world championships.