Thu, 16 Jul 2026, 18:03 PM Ron Capps Motorsports Preview

Courtesy of Allison McCormick, ABM Communications

DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Event 11 of 20
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma, Calif.
July 17 - 19, 2026

RON CAPPS Driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car

NHRA Sonoma Nationals Event Highlights:
• Four-time event champion (1997, 2010, 2011, 2013)
• Five-time runner-up (2002, 2005, 2016, 2018, 2024)
• Two-time No. 1 qualifier (1998, 2021)

2025 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified seventh; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Chad Green in E1; defeated by Spencer Hyde in E2)

Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified third; Event champion (defeated Bobby Bode in E1, J.R. Todd in E2, Alexis DeJoria in E3, Jack Beckman in E4)

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

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

Noteworthy:
• Enters the second half of the season with the Funny Car points lead, which he extended after a banner weekend at the Norwalk Nationals, the most recent race on tour. The Norwalk event saw the fifth-year Ron Capps Motorsports team double-up on wins for the first time since debuting as a two-car operation in March
• Capps has held the points lead seven times through the first 10 events, including the last five consecutive events, dating back to the Chicago race in May
• Capps is the only Funny Car driver to have picked up three wins in 2026
• Will compete in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday • Will spotlight NAPA Echlin throughout the Sonoma Nationals. NAPA Echlin is the premier professional engine management brand in the automotive aftermarket. With more than 100 years of experience, Echlin designs, engineers, manufactures, and distributes over 60,000 of the highest quality engine management products in some of the most advanced-technology categories, including ignition and fuel-system components, sensors, switches, and computerized engine controls
• Capps and Gordon will also carry Russian River Brewing Company branding on their 12,000-horsepower machines as part of a collaboration that has both drivers making an appearance at the Windsor facility on Wednesday afternoon
• As a native of central California's San Luis Obispo, Capps considers Sonoma Raceway to be a home track

Fan Events: • Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver appearance, Russian River Brewing Company (700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor)
• Friday, 3 - 3:30 p.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty driver autograph session, Mission Foods midway display
• Friday, 3:30 - 4 p.m., Sonoma Raceway Kids Only driver autograph session, beneath the main grandstands
• Friday, 4 - 4:30 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
• Saturday, 10 - 10:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
• Saturday, 10:45 - 11:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Sonoma Raceway Launchpad

Quotable:
"This is what I consider to be my favorite part of the season, when we travel west. Sonoma being the closest track to where I grew up in the Central Coast of California, which is also the closest track to where Maddi grew up in Paso Robles, so we'll definitely have a large group of friends and family out this weekend, and she's going to understand a little more of the home track feel. It's always been one of my favorite places - the RV, the family, the barbecues at night, staying at the track; a lot of fantastic memories. And then the chance of winning that race when you have so many family and friends there, which I've been lucky enough to do four times.

"Obviously, a lot of momentum coming off the big win with both cars. Echlin is going to be on the side of the car this weekend, and we love when we get to showcase great products that are sold in NAPA Auto Parts stores. And on top of that, we're leading the Mission Foods Funny Car points. We're going to try and extend that by having another great weekend. Friday night is one of the best sessions we see on tour. We've got a great NAPA race car, and Guido is getting more comfortable with how it's reacting, and that's a good thing. You want to get your stride pretty straight and hit it in July and August, so we're looking forward to trying to do that."

MADDI GORDON Driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster

Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified fifth; Event champion (defeated Spencer Massey in E1, Tony Stewart in E2, Shawn Langdon in E3, Antron Brown in E4)

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

Noteworthy:
• Enters the race weekend after having captured her first professional victory aboard the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster in Norwalk, Ohio last month
• Will compete in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday
• Will carry Russian River Brewing Company branding alongside Capps as part of a collaboration that has both drivers making an appearance at the Windsor facility on Wednesday afternoon
• As a lifelong resident of Paso Robles, considers Sonoma Raceway to be a home track

Fan Events:
• Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver appearance, Russian River Brewing Company (700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor)
• Friday, 3 - 3:30 p.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty driver autograph session, Mission Foods midway display
• Friday, 3:30 - 4 p.m., Sonoma Raceway Kids Only driver autograph session, beneath the main grandstands
• Friday, 4 - 4:30 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
• Saturday, 10 - 10:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
• Saturday, 10:45 - 11:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Sonoma Raceway Launchpad

Quotable:
"What a crazy couple of weeks it's been in the Gordon household, but crazy in the best way possible. I'm very grateful we had these few weeks to really be able to soak in the win to the fullest extent, and I'm glad the team was able to enjoy the break from traveling and celebrate with their families as well. I've been on cloud nine, but even still, I've been itching to get back to the track. The race track is my happy place; it's my element and where I feel at home. I can't wait to get back into my Carlyle Tools dragster and make some fast passes, especially since we're headed to Sonoma, which is one of my home tracks. We'll have a lot of friends and family out there this weekend. My sister will be competing in Super Comp and Top Dragster. This is one of two races where we'll be racing at the same national event, so I can't wait to support her, support my family, and get back to one of the fastest tracks on tour. The Friday night nitro session under the Sonoma Raceway lights is legendary, and I'm excited to be a part of it this year. It's going to be a big weekend for Carlyle Tools and NAPA Auto Parts, and we've also got some folks coming out from Monster Energy. I just cannot wait to get back out there this weekend and strap back into our mean green hot rod."