Ron Capps raced to a relieving first victory of the season in Funny Car during the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals held in New Hampshire.

Capps drove his DSR Racing NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger to the win in the final round over Alexis DeJoria with a 4.095-second run at 315.19 mph to claim the 41st victory of his career in Funny Car.

“It was huge to get [crew chief] Rahn Tobler back his mojo,” said Capps. “He was beating himself up. He found something overnight. He and Eric [Lane, assistant crew chief] worked all night on what they were going to do this morning.”

It was the first finals appearance for Capps since Brainerd last season. He had reached five semifinals this season before advancing to this final to face DeJoria. With the victory, Capps grabbed the final transfer spot in the Traxxas Nitro Shootout which will occur during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend.

“It was big because we haven’t been in the winner’s circle since Brainerd,” said Capps, who defeated Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and Courtney Force to advance to the final round. “It was bigger because there was one spot left in the Traxxas Shootout. Nobody wanted to talk about it in our pit area, but that was it.”

Capps leaves Epping fourth in the Funny Car point standings. Funny Car points leader Robert Hight reached the second round, falling to John Force Racing teammate Force.

Event Essentials:  Auto-Plus New England Nationals

The very strong 2014 season for Alexis DeJoria continued with a R/UP finish at New England

As has been the norm this NHRA season … Courtney Force set top speed of the meet again (this time at 323.35 mph).

Photos by Dave DeAngelis & Steve Embling