2008
The Daytona has been in southern Californian for over six months. After painting and testing it went in for retrofitting and modifications to make it easier on maintenance turnarounds. Jeff Gaynor took up the monumental task of preparing the car and strategizing for the 2008 season. Former NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car driver Jim Adolph and Alan Gillis also came aboard. The following is the news release posted on the "Nostalgia Funny Car News" site run by Mark "Sharky" King.
Capps To Drive Stuckey's "Nitro Charger"
Mark Stuckey and Waist Gunner Racing are proud to announce that Ron Capps will drive the "Nitro Charger" Dodge Daytona bodied Nitro Funny Car at the 50th Annual March Meet this year.
"I cant think of anybody I would rather have drive my flopper than Ron Capps," Stuckey said.
The March Meet will also reunite Jeff Gaynor with Capps as Gaynor will once again be turning the wrenches on a flopper driven by Capps.
"I am thrilled to once again be reunited with Capps on the Nostalgia Tour. We are going racing at the March Meet and we aren't selling any raffle tickets," said Gaynor.
Capps, who pilots the Napa Auto Parts Mopar bodied Dodge Charger RT Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing is pleased to be returning to the March Meet behind the wheel of Mark Stuckey's "Nitro Charger".
"I grew up going to the March Meet with my family throughout my childhood years. I don't think I have ever missed a year. Racing at the March Meet with my family beside me gives me the feeling that I have come full circle in my life. I have won my share of events on the NHRA Tour, but I have a special place for a March Meet Wally. Right in the middle of all my trophies. It would be great to win the March Meet in the Nitro Charger. I can't think of a better way to say thanks to my friends at Mopar," said Capps.
The 50th Annual March Meet will be held at Auto Club Famoso Raceway March 7th - 9th. It is the first event of the newly formed Hot Rod Heritage Series.
Sacramento turned out to be our bright spot in the whole venture to date. It all came together, great weather, great event, great outcome and my little sister drove 500 miles to see just how crazy I have become. When we got set up and fired the car there were some concerns, first time running since the March Meet. We were pumping fuel out of the #3 and 5 holes. After some adjustments and checks Gaynor heard what he wanted - a nice crisp nitro motor. Friday qualifying Adolph had two shots with the first being a flawless 700' pass. The late evening pass was a little exiting when the car made a left turn at 60' Adolph made a gallant correction but had crossed the centerline and nullified the license attempt. Saturday qualifying I took another step into the twilight zone. Before we pulled the car into the staging lanes I noticed a B-17 circling the track. Evidently a touring B-17 flying out of Mather airport, way out of season and not from the Collings foundation, decided to show up for a one day public show. Just prior to the car being fired, the tower announcer began talking about the "nitro charger" telling of it's history and travels to California. As the car came to life the announcer began talking about my father and the fact we were campaigning the car in his name, that combined with the B-17 flying around brought tears to my eyes. I later went to the tower and thanked him for nice introduction and sharing the fact that my father has made my dream a reality. The pass was off and on the throttle for 900' due to the fact the front end would not stay down to steer the car. When we got back to our pit, Gillis went to work pulling all the weights off the clutch to make the launch as soft as possible. Adolph needed a 6.99 or better pass and to keep the car in his lane. The fourth pass was a 6.85 at 221 mph, good enough and there were no problems all weekend.
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