NHRA Brainerd Pre-Race Report

RON CAPPS
Driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car

NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Highlights:

• Six-time event champion (1998, 2001, 2012-2014, 2019)
• Four-time runner-up (1997, 2009, 2011, 2022)
• 2000 No. 1 qualifier

2022 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fourth; Event runner-up (defeated John Force in E1, Bobby Bode in E2, Alexis DeJoria in E3; defeated by Bob Tasca in E4)

Last Event (Topeka):
Qualified No. 2; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Dave Richards in E1; defeated by J.R. Todd in E2)

2023 Statistics:
13 races; one win, three runner-up finishes, one No. 1 qualifier

Career Statistics:
621 races; 74 wins, 37 No. 1 qualifiers

Noteworthy:

• Raced to a runner-up finish at the 2022 event
• A 74-time NHRA national event champion, Capps is seeking his milestone 75th Wally trophy in Brainerd
• Begins the weekend ranked second in the Funny Car point standings and is within two round wins of reclaiming the points lead

Quotable:
“I always circle this race on the schedule every year for several reasons. Brainerd has always been close to home for me. My wife’s family grew up there and it’s sort of a family reunion. On top of that, it’s really where I started my career. Brainerd was where, as a crew member, I started up a conversation with John Mitchell, who saw something in me and then turned around and gave me an opportunity to get my license in his Top Alcohol Dragster. I ended up becoming the driver of his A/Fuel Dragster, and that really kick started my career as a driver.

“Throughout the years I’ve had unbelievable success at Brainerd. It’s such a fun event. Everyone talks about the Zoo, but it’s just a race track that knows how to welcome its fans, and knows how to put on an event. People spend months and months preparing and taking their vacation the week of the Brainerd race. Our NHRA fans in that area are rabid. Not to mention, this is the part of the season when everyone’s thinking ahead. The Countdown isn’t that far away and you certainly want to have your race car Countdown-ready by the time you get to Brainerd.”