Ron Capps Ready to Add More Brainerd Wins to Résumé
Ron Capps, the seasoned driver of the NAPA AutoCare Toyota GR Supra, is gearing up for the highly anticipated NHRA Brainerd Nationals. With an impressive track record at Brainerd International Raceway, Capps returns as the defending event champion, ready to add another victory to his illustrious career.
Over the years, Capps has secured seven event championships at Brainerd (1998, 2001, 2012-2014, 2019, 2023) and four runner-up finishes (1997, 2009, 2011, 2022). He has also been a two-time No. 1 qualifier in 2000 and 2023.
In the 2023 NHRA Brainerd Nationals, Capps qualified No. 1 and emerged as the event champion, defeating notable competitors such as Jim Campbell, Tim Wilkerson, Bob Tasca, and Robert Hight. At the most recent event in Sonoma, he qualified third and finished as the event runner-up after defeating Cruz Pedregon, J.R. Todd, and Matt Hagan, before being bested by Bob Tasca in the final round.
So far in 2024, Capps has participated in 12 races and achieved two runner-up finishes. His career statistics are equally impressive, with 641 races, 76 wins, and 37 No. 1 qualifiers. Capps is returning to Brainerd with the momentum of being the defending event champion. His triumph at Brainerd in 2023 propelled him into the points lead, which he maintained through the Indianapolis race, securing the No. 1 seed for the 2023 NHRA Countdown. He is aiming for his third consecutive final round appearance at Brainerd, following a victory in 2023 and a runner-up finish in 2022. Additionally, after a runner-up finish at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Capps is determined to clinch his first victory of the season this weekend.
A noteworthy addition to this year’s event is the support from NC Machine and Tool, a provider of machining and manufacturing services based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Owners Dan and Chris Roche, long-time Brainerd event attendees, were inspired to support the NAPA team after witnessing Capps’ dramatic explosion in Seattle last month.
Fans can look forward to meeting Capps during the Mission #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway display on Saturday from 9:30 to 10 a.m.
“We talk about this every August. The Brainerd Nationals always brings up different emotions for different race teams. I’ve been lucky enough to have had a lot of success at Brainerd. It’s a race I always get excited about when I see it on the schedule. We have quite a few fun events leading into the weekend, including a fishing event on Thursday. It’s a great team bonding day for our NAPA team. We also have NC Machine joining us this weekend. That came about from a friend I met in Sturgis who saw the accident in Seattle and wanted to help and support our team. It’s so cool because he’s someone who has been coming to this race and has had a suite up in the tower for 25 years. That’s really what the Brainerd Nationals mean more than anything, from my perspective. It’s a great race, you’ve got the U.S. Nationals right around the corner, but it’s really about the people. You roam out into the Zoo and get to meet the thousands of people that come from all over. They’re the ones that make it so much fun. You won’t find a track with better fans than you’ll see when you’re in Brainerd at the ropes signing autographs or you pop out into the Zoo. So, we’re looking forward to it. This is always a great race for our NAPA team and hopefully we can add to the number of wins we have there,” said Capps.
This story was originally published on August 15, 2024.
The post Ron Capps Ready to Add More Brainerd Wins to Résumé first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
