Capps Unhurt In Chili Bowl Flip

National Dragster, Jan 30, 2004

Funny Car driver Ron Capps' first race with regular touring professionals at the 18th annual O'Reilly ChiJi Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, OkIa., ended with a nasty collision on the first lap of the Jan. 10 "H" main event. Braking hard to avoid a huge bunching of cars, Capps was hit from behind and catapulted into a series of four snap rolls that destroyed his car. Capps was not hurt in the incident.

The popular driver of Don "the Snake" Prudhomme's Skoal Racing Camaro had previously competed in a special celebrity race at the event. This year, he piloted one of NASCAR champion Tony Stewart's powerful #20 machines, running well enough on Thursday to qualify for Saturday's racing action.

"Until that wreck, I was having a great time," Capps said. "It was a spectacular wreck, I'm sure. It seemed like I was up there as high as the fence. But I'm fine. I had no idea that people were reporting I had broken my shoulder blade. That's just not the case.

"I did go to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but I drove myself there. The onsite EMS people checked me out and said I was fine. You get rattled around in there pretty good when a car rolls like that, so I just wanted to make sure everything was cool."

Bereft of television coverage this year, Chili Bowl organizers cancelled the celebrity challenge they have held in the past. Undaunted, Capps accepted the invitation from. Stewart to drive one of his cars.

"I almost felt a little guilty when I got there because there are guys who have driven for years in this deal who didn't have rides," Capps said. "Then here comes this Funny Car racer who gets a seat in one of the best cars there. I mean, all of their equipment is first-class."

Capps' teammates for the event were World of Outlaws champion. Danny Lasoski, NASCAR great Ken Schrader, and Team Stewart newcomer Josh Wise.