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Ron Capps Motorsports Pre-Race Report: Epping

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NHRA New England Nationals
Event 8 of 20
New England Dragway
Epping, N.H.
June 5 – 7, 2026

By: Ron Capps Motorsports (Photos Courtesy Ron Capps Motorsports)

Driver Information:

RON CAPPS
Driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car

NHRA New England Nationals Event Highlights:

  • Two-time event champion (2014, 2016)  
  • 2016 No. 1 qualifier 

2025 NHRA New England Nationals Recap:
Qualified 11th; First round exit (defeated by Alexis DeJoria in E1)

Last Event (Potomac):
Qualified 10th; Semifinal finish (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1, Cruz Pedregon in E2; defeated by Austin Prock in E3)

2026 Statistics:
Seven races; two wins, one runner-up appearance, two No. 1 qualifiers

Career Statistics:
675 races; 79 wins, 39 No. 1 qualifiers

Noteworthy:

  • The three-time Funny Car world champ enters the weekend with the points lead thanks to a standout season, which has included two wins, one runner-up finish, two No. 1 qualifiers, and a semifinal appearance at last weekend’s inaugural event at Maryland International Raceway
    • Epping marks the fourth event in 2026 where Capps begins the weekend occupying the No. 1 position
  • Thanks to his semifinal finish at the Potomac Nationals, Capps will participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday
  • Both Capps’ NAPA Auto Care Funny Car and Maddi Gordon’s Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster will feature increased OKUMA branding in Epping as part of a six-race collaboration with the global leader in machine tool design and manufacturing. It was announced earlier this week that OKUMA has been named the official CNC machining partner of Ron Capps Motorsports

Fan Events:

  • Wednesday, 4 – 7 p.m., Car Show and Meet & Greet, Bentley’s Saloon (1601 Portland Rd., Arundel, ME)
  • Friday, 3 – 3:30 p.m., RCM driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
  • Saturday, 9:30 – 10 a.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty driver autograph session, Mission Foods midway display
  • Saturday, 10 – 10:30 a.m., RCM driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display 

Quotable:
“I’ve been doing this long enough to know that in our sport of NHRA Drag Racing, when you have races lumped together like we have right now, it could be dreadful if you don’t have a good race car. We’re so fortunate that we have a great car, and we’re in a good position heading into these summer races. The great part about this time of year, especially after leaving Maryland after the solid performance we had, is knowing that we’re going to be racing two more weeks in a row with Bristol and the upcoming race at New England Dragway this weekend, which has been such a fun race since it was first introduced on the NHRA schedule. We have a lot going on with our NAPA customers in the area, and now with Carlyle Tools. Maddi and I will be at the world-famous Bentley’s Saloon tonight and we can’t wait to hang out with all the fans that’ll come join us. It’s always a great time there. I always love going to Epping because it’s one of the more picturesque weekends that we get to enjoy on the NHRA tour. Looking forward to getting back to that race track. I’ve had a lot of success there in the past, and hopefully we can keep the momentum going and keep the points lead.”

MADDI GORDON
Driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster

Last Event (Potomac):
Qualified sixth; First round exit (defeated by Will Smith in E1)

Noteworthy:

  • This year’s event will mark Gordon’s first New England Nationals outing
  • Gordon’s Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster will carry increased OKUMA branding in Epping as part of a six-race collaboration with the global leader in machine tool design and manufacturing. It was announced earlier this week that OKUMA has been named the official CNC machining partner of Ron Capps Motorsports

Fan Events:

  • Wednesday, 4 – 7 p.m., Car Show and Meet & Greet, Bentley’s Saloon (1601 Portland Rd., Arundel, ME)
  • Friday, 3 – 3:30 p.m., RCM driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
  • Saturday, 10 – 10:30 a.m., RCM driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display

Quotable:
“This will be my first time racing in Epping, and I’ve heard nothing but great things. I can’t wait to meet some new fans, check out a historic track, and celebrate in true New England style with a lobster team dinner with the local Carlyle Tools folks on Saturday night. We’re starting our race weekend with an appearance at Bentley’s Saloon up in Maine tonight, and I’m very much looking forward to that. I know Ron goes up there every year and it always seems like such a blast, so I’m excited I’ll get to be a part of that this year.
 
“Our Carlyle Tools boys have been working really hard both on and off the race track, and I’m really proud of what they’ve accomplished so far this season. We’ll take our data from Maryland and apply it in Epping. We’ve got plenty of folks from NAPA and Carlyle coming out this weekend, and hopefully they can be our good luck charms, and we’ll go deep in the rounds on Sunday.”