Kurt Busch wasn't the only NASCAR Sprint Cup driver attending the NHRA Full Throttle Gatornationals. Michael Waltrip took in the action over the weekend to watch his NAPA teammate Ron Capps compete in the Funny Car class.
Although he wasn't competing in the event, Waltrip visited Gainesville Raceway on Saturday for a day of qualifying and watched Capps from the starting line lock in the third spot with a 4.070 at 306.81 mph.
"It's just amazing," Waltrip said about witnessing the 8,000 horsepower cars. "I can't imagine that, the way the sound hits you and bounces off of you...Standing there and feeling it, I can't describe it. I'm just so thankful that I'm here."
Waltrip's decision to go to the Gatornationals was last minute for him and a group of friends.
"Being here was funny because we woke up this morning in Daytona and had every intention of flying home with my buddies, back to North Carolina," Waltrip said during a press conference Saturday at the track. "Our luggage was on the plane and we were about to get on and I asked Brian, my friend, and I said 'We're pretty close to those drag races, we probably should go, don't you think?' So we grabbed our luggage off the plane and got a rental car and drove over.
"I'm certainly thankful I did because watching the NAPA car just then was one of the coolest things ever. I know y'all are used to it, but I've got a permanent grin on my face. Just trying to explain it to people. It's incredible. I would like to know what it feels like to be Ron, to do it. But I don't want to know bad enough to actually learn how to do it."
Capps had the chance to go to Bristol Motor Speedway last year, but with the hectic Sprint Cup Series schedule Waltrip hasn't had the opportunity to get out to watch the NAPA Funny Car compete.
"All of my crew guys were really excited; they've been wanting him to come out," Capps said. "You know, everybody loves Michael. He's just a fun person to be around. We had a blast doing commercials and stuff."
Waltrip has taken part in Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School in the past and Capps joked about him getting behind the wheel of a Funny Car.
"Don Schumacher made a comment about building a car big enough for him and I said 'Let's not do that, he might want to come back out of retirement, semi-retirement and want to jump in a Funny Car,'" Capps said.
On Sunday, Capps ran 312 mph in the second round before losing to Bob Tasca III in the semifinals.
"That's the top speed for Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) and the NAPA guys and that's an encouraging sign going into Charlotte where we very well could see cool conditions and record runs.
"Just a great weekend by the NAPA guys. We had a fun time with Michael Waltrip coming and hanging out on Saturday. Going into the four-wide race in Charlotte to be second in points is a big boost for the team."
