CAPPS PUMPS UP DURING OFF-SEASON

Ron Capps wasn't a 150-pound weakling when the 2001 season ended, but he wanted to improve the strength in his arms, shoulders and neck, so he worked out with a trainer during the break between seasons. The result: eight pounds of muscle.

"I noticed the difference right away when the engine put a couple cylinders out," Capps noted. "I was able to steer the car pretty good with one hand on the wheel (while the other hand hit the parachute lever).

"Usually during testing your body gets back into being thrown around with all the g-forces, positive and negative, when you hit the 'chutes," he continued. "I noticed I wasn't nearly as sore as I usually am after the first few days of testing. It's already paying dividends and the season hasn't started yet."

BRENT CANNON WINS SCEDA EVENT

Brent Cannon took his dragster to the win of the C.L. Bryant SCEDA 30th anniversary event held at LACR, Palmdale, Calif. Cannon defeated Mike Blodgett in the final round. Bill Leonis, with Tracey Fischle driving, and Bob Chagnow split the Bob's Transmission dial rite at the Southern California Drag Racing Association race.

SKELLY NAMED RACE DIRECTOR FOR NHRA SUMMIT SPORT COMPACT SERIES

Jim Skelly has been named Race Director for the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series. Skelly, 44, spent 10 years working as the technical communications director for NHRA before accepting the new position.

"About four or five years ago I started working with (NHRA President) Tom Compton on developing the Sport Compact Series," Skelly said. "I have been involved with the series since its inception. When this opportunity came up, I took it. I spent 10 years on the domestic side of drag racing, and now I get to be part of a new and exciting area of drag racing. This is going to be a great opportunity to develop and grow with the series."

Skelly said he plans to make the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series a recognizable part of the NHRA.

"The Sport Compact market is not a fad," Skelly said. "This is not a trend. This is hot rodding in every sense of the term. We are going to do what it takes to see the car counts grow as well as the spectator base grow. We want to help pair the name of the series with the NHRA."

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