Mopar NHRA driver Ron Capps
For Mopar’s National Hot Rod Association drivers, Sunday is usually a race day. However, with a bit of a break before they head to the next NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at the Gatornationals in Florida in two weeks, they’ll get a chance to have a seat and watch the Oscars like the rest of us this Sunday.
Ron Capps, driver of Mopar’s Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, has actually seen every single Oscar nominated film because, away from his duties with Don Schumacher Racing, he is lucky enough to be a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) member and had the movies sent to him in December to be able to vote on them.
So what are his winning picks?
“’12 Years a Slave’ was an incredible movie and should win just about everything,” says Capps. “I also loved ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ a lot as well. I thought Jared Leto was incredible in it. I think ‘American Hustle’ was OK but highly overrated in the buzz for awards.”
In the Animated Feature category, Capps has a clear favorite.
“Without a doubt, ‘Despicable Me 2’ was my pick on the list this year. It was hyped up pretty good before it came out, but I think exceeded the hype and I think I enjoyed it as much or more than my kids!”
As for a favorite actor in the list of this year’s nominees, Capps is a little torn.
“My sentimental pick is Bruce Dern for ‘Nebraska,’ but my favorite one is probably Matthew McConaughey for ‘Dallas Buyers Club'”.
Mopar NHRA Pro Stock drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Allen Johnson
Allen Johnson, 2012 NHRA Pro Stock Champ and winner of last weekend’s Arizona Nationals, gives his top pick for Best Picture to “Captain Phillips.” He’s also hoping his favorite actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper and Julia Roberts get recognized for their work this year.
Johnson’s grandkids helped him with his pick for Best Animated Feature and their money is on “Frozen.”
Jeg Coughlin Jr., 2013 NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, was a bit too busy this past year winning a championship for Mopar to see any of the movies. However, of the nominees, there are a few he’s definitely hoping to catch when they come out on iTunes. On that list are “Gravity,” “American Hustle,” “Captain Philips,” and “Wolf of Wall Street.”
“I’ll watch the Oscar show on Sunday along with my son and wife,” said Coughlin. “While they like seeing how the Hollywood stars are dressed and the gallantry involved, I especially enjoy watching seeing these icons that are flawless on screen get up there then get all giddy and flustered and excited and at a loss for words. I find that the most fun and interesting part of the watch the Oscars.”
