Ron Capps Motorsports Pre-Race Report: NHRA Northwest Nationals

Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals
Event 12 of 20
Pacific Raceways
Kent, Wash.
July 24 – 26, 2026

By: Ron Capps Motorsports (Photos Courtesy RCM)

RON CAPPS
Driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car

NHRA Northwest Nationals Event Highlights:

• Four-time event champion
  • Funny Car (1998, 2016, 2018) 
  • Top Fuel (1995) 
• Six-time runner-up (2001, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2019, 2025) 
• Two-time No. 1 qualifier (1997, 2012)

2025 NHRA Northwest Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fourth; Event runner-up (defeated Hunter Green in E1, Daniel Wilkerson in E2, Spencer Hyde in E3; defeated by Matt Hagan in E4)

Last Event (Sonoma):
Qualified fourth; First round exit (defeated by Austin Prock in E1)

2026 Statistics:
11 races; three wins, one runner-up finish, two No. 1 qualifiers

Career Statistics:
679 races; 80 wins, 39 No. 1 qualifiers

Noteworthy:

• Begins the weekend as the Funny Car points leader for the eighth time in 11 races
• Powered to a runner-up finish at last year’s event
• Won his first NHRA trophy in a professional class at the 1995 Seattle event while competing in the Top Fuel category
• Has both Top Fuel and Funny Car wins from Seattle

Fan Events:

• Friday, noon – 12:30 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
• Saturday, 9:30 – 10:00 a.m., Driver autograph session, Muckleshoot Casino Resort midway display
• Saturday, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display

Quotable:
“I’ve talked about it before, but this is the time of year that we especially love. Leading into Sonoma coming off a double-up and it being a home track for both of us, we were really looking forward to that event. It’s always disappointing to go out that early on Sunday, and the fact that we both did, just reminds you how tough both of these categories are, Top Fuel and Funny Car. But, the really good thing is, we don’t have to wait long. Just four days and we’re right back at it. For me, Seattle has so much history with my first win there in Top Fuel years ago and then being able to win several times since then.

“It’s been great that Muckleshoot came on board with NHRA and have now supported this event for the past few years. We’re looking forward to this weekend, not just to get back out there and go rounds, but we’ve got a lot of fun things planned with Muckleshoot and the track. Maddi’s got something exciting in the works on Friday morning, and we have a huge contingent of NAPA and Carlyle guests coming out all weekend, which we always enjoy. So, looking forward to jumping back in my NAPA Funny Car and finishing out these last few races of the regular season strong.”

MADDI GORDON
Driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster

Last Event (Sonoma):
Qualified sixth; First round exit (defeated by Leah Pruett in E1)

2026/Career Statistics:
11 races; one national event win

Noteworthy:

• Won her first NHRA trophy during the 2024 Northwest Nationals while driving her family’s Top Alcohol Funny Car
  • With the victory, she became the 100th woman to win an NHRA national event
• Returns as the reigning Top Alcohol Funny Car event champion after powering to the winner’s circle in 2025
• It was at the 2024 Seattle event where Gordon first learned Ron Capps wanted her to join his expanding team as the pilot of his first Top Fuel entry

Fan Events:

• Friday, noon – 12:30 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
• Saturday, 9:30 – 10:00 a.m., Driver autograph session, Muckleshoot Casino Resort midway display
• Saturday, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display

Quotable:
“I love back-to-back races because there’s no time to look backwards. All we can do is look forward to the next race, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’ve got Seattle coming up this weekend, and I can’t wait to get up there. Seattle has been really good to my family in the past, so hoping to channel some of that good energy and make it a long and fast weekend.

“We’re starting off with a NAPA dinner on Thursday night at the Muckleshoot Casino, a wonderful place to stay and eat, and then on Friday, I get to start my day with a hot air balloon ride and then hop into a dragster and go 330-mph that afternoon, so that’s shaping up to be a pretty spectacular day. I’m really looking forward to putting on a good show for Carlyle Tools, NAPA, Monster Energy, and everyone who helps us out. It’s truly a dream to be able to race cars at the level we do, and none of it would be possible without the partners who support us, so we want to make sure we have a successful weekend for them, as well as all the amazing Seattle fans. We’ve got a very loyal fanbase up in the Pacific Northwest and I can’t wait to spend time with them.”