Capps bests Prock to win PRO Superstar Shootout
Ron Capps spoiled Austin Prock's otherwise perfect week Saturday, beating the reigning NHRA Funny Car champion in the final round of the second annual PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Capps' run of 3.870s and 330.47mph with his Ron Capps Motorsports entry edged Prock's 4.003s/316.60mph.
'This event is special. It's the second year we've done anything like this, but you have an all-star cast,' said Capps. 'Back in the day, as a kid, you know, I read about the Orange County races and all the stuff, where everybody showed up. This SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout is what it's all about. A lot of our sponsors are big supporters of this event, so thank you, SCAG, for putting all that money up. We're gonna love it, but our NAPA guys, (crew chief) Guido. I cannot say enough about how hard he's worked, and this is the fruit of our team's labor.'
In Top Fuel, Shawn Reed's 3.699s/330.39mph run was enough to beat Josh Hart (3,724s/321.27mph), while Troy Coughlin Jr. won in Pro Stock, defeating Cory Reed.
In the Top Fuel final Reed was facing Floridian and multi-time Top Fuel national event winner Hart, who had posted the two quickest elapsed times in the first and second round of race day. Both dragsters jumped off the starting line together and it was Reed getting to the finish line first with a strong 3.699 second run at 330.39 mph just in front of Hart's equally impressive 3.724 second run at 321.27 mph. Reed's pass was the quickest of the day in Top Fuel as cooler temperatures created optimal racing conditions.
'This is flat out incredible right now,' said an exuberant Reed at the top end. 'It's impossible to think ahead because you haven't done anything. I have to thank Red Line Oil, Matco Tools, All American Automotive. Thanks to all the fans. Man, it's been great with all these people out here. I'm more than blessed right now, and I'm probably happy as I've been in a long, long time.'
While John Force Racing didn't end up getting the FC win with Prock — who had posted a record 3.791s run in qualifying — it scored another big morale booster from the presence of the team's founder and CEO. 16-time series champion John Force was a welcome presence in the JFR compound at Bradenton even though he still is receiving treatment for the traumatic brain injury he suffered in a crash last June at Richmond.
'My wife, Laurie, told me I needed to get back in the game,' said the 157-time NHRA winner. 'And being here in Bradenton was just good for my heart. Watching everybody work, watching the cars and the teams and seeing old friends like Capps, it was just special.
'We didn't win, but I was excited just to be where I need to be,' he said. 'Running my teams and supporting Cornwell, PEAK, Monster, HendrickCars.com and all our other partners. I can't wait to get to Gainesville. To tell you the truth, this is the first time since Richmond I really felt alive again.'
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series gets underway at Gainesville March 7-9.
Story originally appeared on Racer
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