It's been a tough first three races of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season,
because we raced in Pomona, had a couple of weeks off, went to Phoenix and
had a couple of weeks off, went to Gainesville and raced, then had a couple of
weeks off. All of a sudden now we're in April and we've only had three races
since February.
I don't always like the beginning part of a season because you get geared
up, you get your adrenaline flowing, you kick off the season and then you
have to wait a couple of weeks before you go to the next race.
Conversely, it's nice because you appreciate the time off, you get to spend
the time with your family and do things around the house, because once the
season gets started you forget what that's like.
We're going to be getting into races that are back-to-back and then there
are a number of races this year that are three in a row in the middle of the
country.
This weekend, Houston is going to kick it off with a race that's the start of a
back-to-back run between Houston and Las Vegas.
Going to Houston this time of the year is always exciting. The crew chiefs
basically call this race a mine shaft. It's like being underground. The
weather is cool and there are very good atmospheric conditions that make
these 8000-hp monster engines breathe very well.
And when they breathe well they make lots of horsepower.
It's funny. When I see Houston coming up on the schedule I always get really
excited about it. I love going to Houston, but then I look back at my
history there and I really haven't had the best results, and it's kind of a
surprise to have somebody tell me I haven't had the best results there.
Usually, places I love to go to are places where I've done well in the past.
I think this is the year to change that. I love going there because of the
fans and there's nothing like being in Texas. The people are the most
cordial, fun people to be around. When you make a good run and you tow
behind the grandstands the fans cheer and really get into it. When the fans
get that excited about it it's like being in Bristol for the NASCAR guys, at
a place where the fans really let you know that they're behind you.
The only thing I need to change about Houston is the results that we've had.
Our Brut Dodge is now considered one of the cars to beat, and when it rolls
to the starting line there's a chance it's going to have a shot at low
qualifier. And, on Sunday there's a chance it's going to win the race. As a
driver you can't ask for anything more than being able to show up at a race
and have equipment that can win that race.
If you can walk into the gate of that racetrack and know deep down that you
have a team and a car that can win that day, it's a great feeling. We have
all the tools, all the parts, all that we need at Don Schumacher Racing. I
have great teammates, and with all that put together, we just need to start
winning races.
Having Brut as a sponsor is incredible. The new ads featuring me with my son
Caden are kicking off with pretty major magazines this week, including
Sports Illustrated and People Magazine. To see a full-page ad in one of
these magazines with my son and me at a racetrack is unbelievable. My son
is 3 years old and he probably knows more about drag racing than any fan out
there. He's crazy about it.
He hasn't even seen the ad, but it's going to be exciting for him to see it.
As a father to be involved in an ad like that which has to do with the sport of
drag racing where I was around as a kid with my dad, is pretty special.
Ron Capps drives a Funny Car in the NHRA for Don Schumacher Racing. He is providing a diary to ESPN.com throughout the 2005 season.