NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Ron Capps picked up the most recent Funny Car victory at Atlanta Dragway, doing so at the track in 2019. The former world champion also hopes to be the final Funny Car winner in Atlanta.
 
This weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway marks the 40th and final race at Georgia’s House of Speed for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, making it a celebration of the track’s renowned history. Capps has made his share of history in Atlanta, winning three times and going out with the final victory would mark another significant accomplishment for the standout driver.
 
“I guarantee if you ask any driver going into this last race, they all want to take that last trophy,” Capps said. “Everyone is chomping at the bit to get back to somewhat of a normal schedule, and you put that together with the last race in Atlanta, and this is big. It’s always had a unique feel and as our sport has grown, the track has kept that old-school feel to it. There’s very few tracks on the circuit left like that, and it has a really cool nostalgic feel to it.”
 
Because the pandemic cut short the 2020 NHRA schedule, the last racing action at Atlanta took place in 2019, where Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Capps (Funny Car), and Andrew Hines all picked up victories (Pro Stock Motorcycle). This year’s race will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including finals coverage of the historic race taking place on Sunday, May 2. It is the third race of the 2021 season, and Capps is eager to keep pushing forward in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.
 
He qualified No. 1 in Gainesville and advanced to the final quad in Las Vegas, giving Capps a solid start to the new year. A fourth Funny Car win in Atlanta would put him only behind John Force for the most in track history, but Capps will also have to get by the likes of defending champ and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan, Robert Hight, Gainesville winner J.R. Todd, Las Vegas winner Bob Tasca III, Tim Wilkerson, and Cruz Pedregon.
 
“I feel like both races we had a really good or great chance to win, and anytime you can say that, you feel good about things,” said Capps, who has 66 career wins. “In Gainesville, we had a great, consistent car, and in Las Vegas, we were consistent all day long. When you’re waking up Sunday morning feeling like you have a chance to win, it’s a really good feeling. Things have gone well.”

Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds on Saturday, May 1 at 12:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. ET. Final eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 2.

The race also includes thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where future stars of the sport hone their skills. The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service will make its second appearance in 2021. Jose Gonzalez won the opening race, and Mike Castellana won in Atlanta in 2019. Alsum Farms/Wisconsin Potatoes is the presenting Pro Mod sponsor in Atlanta.
 
The Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock Association will also be in action during the weekend at Atlanta Dragway. A number of classic Pro Stock cars will make runs throughout the weekend, and all the cars will be on display in a special pit display at the track. A total of six racers are scheduled to make a run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Atlanta Dragway will also host the Sealmaster Track Walk on Sunday before racing action begins.

Tickets are on sale now for Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals and may be purchased by clicking here or calling 800.884.NHRA.