If Ron Capps had his way, the National Hot Rod Association would visit Bristol Dragway more than just once a year.
"It's just one of those places that I wish we had a couple more races there every year," said the defending Funny Car champion of the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, which take place May 18-20.
It's no wonder Capps is fond of the quarter-mile strip in Thunder Valley. After years of trying, the 41-year-old driver finally made his way into winner's circle in April of last year.
And he got there by defeating 14-time Funny Car champ John Force with a 4.793 at 319.52 mph effort to best Force's 4.788 at 310.13.
"Last year, race day was a very difficult day because the sun had come out and once again were kind of on a streak (Capps won three of the first six races in 2006), like we are now," said Capps. "We were leading the points.
"I remember facing off against Force in the final round. And, actually, to win on a holeshot, let alone beat John Force in the final, was unbelievable."
Capps, who currently leads the Funny Car standings over Robert Hight (458-370) says he can't wait to get back to Bristol.
"If you go around and poll the drivers on the grounds Bristol ranks up there as one of our favorite tracks to go to," he said. "They have always done such a great job to make us feel not only welcome there, but the track itself is unbelievable. We know that with all the trees all around, there's plenty of oxygen and that makes for lots of horsepower."
"I've always told people that if they wanted to pick a race to go to if they were going on a trip, Bristol is definitely one of them. It's a sight to just come in there and see the place in NASCAR country, let alone to race on an excellent track surface."
"It's a lot of fun to go to. The fans are great and any time you go back to a track that's got the history Bristol has, it's memorable. I remember first race we went there, I did the (Speedway Children's Charities) golf tournament there. There is always something cool going on for the Bristol race."
And it's cool not just for drag racers. Many NHRA teams have friends in NASCAR and when the circuit comes to Bristol Dragway, they start hearing from them.
"A lot of guys from Tony Stewart's NASCAR team have already called and we've got tickets set aside for them to come hang out, because it's close to Charlotte," said Capps. "We get a lot of the NASCAR people, the guys in the shop, who work their tails off and don't go to their races, come out and get to see what real horsepower is all about. We're excited about having them. It's a great race to look forward to."
Gates open on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 a.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. The first rounds of qualifying for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals are Friday at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by rounds three and four at 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Final eliminations get under way at noon on Sunday.
Tickets are available for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Grandstand ticket pricing is as follows: Friday -- Sections A - D $25 Adult / $5 Junior; Sections E - U $30 Adult / $5 Junior; Thunder Terrace $30 Adult / $5 Junior, Saturday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior; Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior; Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Sunday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior, Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior. Weekend combos are: Sections A - D $85 Adult / $40 Junior, Sections E - U $110 Adult / $60 Junior, and Thunder Terrace $110 Adult / $60 Junior.
Thunder Valley Club tickets also are available and are $300 for adults and $100 for children for the weekend. Bruton's Club suite seats are available for the weekend for $425 per person.
To purchase tickets, please call the Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway ticket office at 423.989.6900 or visit www.bristoltix.com.
