This transition to team owner/driver is working very well for Ron Capps.

Capps arrived at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Friday in Norwalk, Ohio, third in the points standings and he’s charging toward the No. 1 spot.

Capps kept that mission on track by qualifying No. 1 Friday with a 3.901-second elapsed time at 328.38 mph.

“How awesome is that,” Capps said. “First of all, the first run today, I let it get out of the groove and so I was so bummed out. I was walking around moping around the pit area, waiting for the eight o'clock session because I knew we had the potential to go down the track and I knew we had a chance to go into the pole and obviously we’re running well now.”

If Capps keeps his No. 1 spot it will be the 33rd of his career and the fourth of season. He also was atop the qualifying ladder in Pomona, Las Vegas, and Houston.

“I knew it would take a little bit of time,” Capps said. “It only took a couple of races for Guido and Medlen and our NAPA guys to start trimming out the GR supra body and trying to just massage it, find out what he really likes. And obviously when in Bristol in very demanding conditions, hot, I knew coming here was going to be hot and humid, but we were third pair very early in the sessions. 

“To go out and run the number was awesome, but I figured there'd be some eighties thrown out there. I mean, we had a bunch of 9-os right behind us, so I figured force being last pair they were going to go just a little quicker, but we hung on and just great job. So happy for the Toyota people. Slugger, everybody worked so hard to help us with this body. It's been successful to say the least.”

Capps has two wins in Bristol – the last race on the circuit – and Las Vegas and is thrilled to be in his position he is now.

“Unbelievable. Life changing,” Capps said. “NAPA Auto Parts coming with me on this venture of mine, to live the dream of being a team owner. The NHRA has been unbelievable. Great family at NAPA Auto Parts. Toyota's been life changing. It really has, and they really take it ... It takes me back to my first year with Don Prudhomme, signing that first-year deal and being in awe of everything going on around us. And it really takes me back to that first year in 1997 with Snake, because we have so much wind tunnel work going on.

“We have Slugger running crazy to help, J.R. Todd's team and Del Worsham and Alexis's team. And I said it after our win. I mean, there's no way we would've won Bristol had we not had the help from Del Worsham, John O, all the guys, the yellow fellas.”

Capps is definitely happy to be making the progress he’s made in his first season as an owner.

“It's been huge. I felt a little bad getting the first win because they worked really hard on getting this body, but the years you look back, I don't think you'll find a sexier, better looking Funny Car body that looks like the real thing. They really helped change my life so far, it has literally been a dream to drive. That means a lot when you're pulling up here and throwing down 330 mph runs to be able to see kind of helps. So, all in all it's just been great.”