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Ron Capps Motorsports Pre-Race Report: Norwalk

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Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Event 10 of 20
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 26 – 28, 2026

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

RON CAPPS
Driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car

NHRA Norwalk Nationals Event Highlights:

  • 2016 event champion  
  • Four-time runner-up (2011, 2013, 2014, 2024) 
  • Three-time No. 1 qualifier (2019, 2021, 2022)

2025 NHRA Norwalk Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified third; Semifinal finish (defeated Paul Lee in E1, Dave Richards in E2; defeated by Austin Prock)

Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified seventh; Semifinal finish (defeated Chad Green in E1, Jordan Vandergriff in E2; defeated by Daniel Wilkerson in E3)

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

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

Noteworthy:

  • Carries the points lead for the seventh time through the first nine events thanks to a standout performance which has seen the three-time world champ race to two wins, one runner-up finish, two poles, and a semifinal finish at the last three events
  • Will compete in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge this weekend following a semifinal finish at the most recent event in Bristol

Fan Events:

  • Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver appearance, Heartland NAPA (300 Tommy Heinreich Dr. NW, Massillon)
  • Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver appearance, Modern Auto & Truck Parts (340 W Main St., Carrollton)
  • Friday, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
  • Saturday, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty driver autograph session, Mission Foods midway display
  • Saturday, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display 

Quotable:
“We’re headed into a unique part of the season. When you think of Norwalk, Ohio, you think of the Bader family, the weather, the ice cream scoop trophy; all the unique things that surround the Norwalk Nationals. It’s hard to believe, but we’ve only got a few races left before the regular season is over and we’re going to start fighting for a championship. You sort of know where you’re going to stand when you leave Norwalk. We have a break after this weekend and then we head to the West Coast for two races, then Brainerd, and the next thing you know, you’re at Indy. Norwalk is one of those races where you feel like it’s really demanding on everyone on the team. Crew chiefs have to battle conditions that could change so quickly, but also so adversely. Same thing with the drivers and the crew members; everything’s got to be spot on to win a race in Norwalk during the summer. Our NAPA Auto Care team is obviously on a good roll, still leading the points. We’ve been very consistent. We’ve got another #2Fast2Tasty we’re competing in at Norwalk, which is always a bonus, and of course, Maddi’s getting to race there in a Top Fuel dragster for the first time. We feel like the Carlyle dragster is a win waiting to happen, but you look around at the landscape of Top Fuel, and Funny Car, and it’s probably as tough as I’ve ever seen it. We’re going to have our hands full, but that’s part of why we do it.”

MADDI GORDON
Driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster

Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified 12th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Billy Torrence in E1; defeated by Tony Stewart in E2)

Noteworthy:

  • Previously competed in Norwalk in Top Alcohol Funny Car and finished as the event runner-up in 2024

Fan Events:

  • Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver appearance, Heartland NAPA (300 Tommy Heinreich Dr. NW, Massillon)
  • Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver appearance, Modern Auto & Truck Parts (340 W Main St., Carrollton)
  • Friday, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
  • Saturday, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display

Quotable:
“Heading back out for the next race. It’s crazy to think we’re almost halfway through the season. It does not feel like we’ve already ran nine races, but here we are. Norwalk is actually one of my favorite races on the tour because of the amazing show that Bill Bader puts on. He puts so much effort into making it so special. It’s so patriotic, and always an event to remember. On top of that, my family’s going to be racing there this weekend as well, so it’ll be pretty cool to be at the same race as them again.

“We’re coming off a fun weekend. Ron and I spent our weekend off at the NASCAR Truck race in San Diego last Friday, cheering on our NAPA drivers. It was really cool to be there and experience that for the first time but definitely looking forward to getting back to an NHRA race and back behind the wheel of our Carlyle Tools dragster this weekend. We’ve got a great race car, a great team, and really good horsepower behind us so, I’ve got all the confidence in the world in our Carlyle Tools team and I’m looking forward to rolling into that race and putting on a good show for the fans.”