Ron Capps Motorsports Aims for Victory at Texas Motorplex

The NHRA Countdown to the Championship is down to its final three races, and Ron Capps knows the time to make a move is running out. Fortunately for the three-time Funny Car world champion, the next stop on the schedule is a place where he’s had plenty of success: Texas Motorplex.

Capps and his Ron Capps Motorsports teammate Maddi Gordon head to the Texas NHRA FallNationals during the Stampede of Speed with their sights set on finishing the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season on a high note.

There are certain tracks where a driver just seems to find success, and Texas Motorplex has been one of those facilities for Capps. The veteran Funny Car driver won the Texas FallNationals in 2021 and 2022. Those victories proved to be important because Capps went on to capture the NHRA Funny Car world championship in both seasons.

Now he’s looking to add another Dallas victory to his resume. Capps enters the 2026 FallNationals seeking his third consecutive final-round appearance at the event and his fifth in the past six years. That kind of consistency is difficult to achieve in any professional drag racing category, especially in the current Funny Car field.

Capps knows how tough the competition has become, but he’s also pleased with what his organization has accomplished this season.

“It’s been a great season for our Ron Capps Motorsports team so far. We got Maddi her first win in Norwalk, Ohio, and for our NAPA Auto Care Funny Car team to have three diamond Wally trophies is no easy task given the state of the Funny Car class these days. While the break in action after those first three Countdown races was definitely something that I think everyone needed, it just reminds you that there are only three races left.

“The Stampede of Speed is one of the pinnacle events of our sport. We love going to the Texas Motorplex. Everything in Texas is done at a larger scale, and Billy, Christie Meyer, and the whole Texas Motorplex crew are no exception. This is a race you always look at to either make a big move in the points or extend your lead, and this year, we need to make a move. We’ve got a lot of great things going with our great partners this weekend. Core Scientific, which came on board this year, and USA Compression have facilities in Texas that we’ll visit, and they both have a lot of guests coming out this weekend. Our NAPA Funny Car team is looking forward to showing off, as always.”

Maddi Gordon might be competing in Top Fuel this season, but she’s no stranger to racing at Texas Motorplex.

The Rookie of the Year contender previously competed at the facility in Top Alcohol Funny Car during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. She also has an extra reason to feel confident heading into this year’s FallNationals. Her father, Doug Gordon, drove the family’s Top Alcohol Funny Car to victory during the Stampede of Speed regional event last weekend. Maddi traveled to Texas early and was able to be part of the celebration.

Now she’s hoping some of that winning momentum carries over to her Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster.

“The Stampede of Speed at the Texas Motorplex is one of my absolute favorite races of the year. It’s a show, an event; the fans are awesome, the stands are always packed. I actually flew out early, and I got to be part of my family’s win at the regional race last weekend. So, that was really exciting, and I feel like I’ve got some good mojo heading into this weekend. I’m looking forward to spending time with all the folks at Core Scientific and USA Compression, meeting the customers, and having them out at the track.

“This event is always a big turning point in the season. We’ve only got three races left, so now’s the time we’ve got to push hard, and I’ve got all the confidence in the world that Rob (Flynn) and Troy (Fasching) are going to put the best tune-up in our Carlyle Tools dragster and give us the best race car to finish out the season strong. After the race weekend, I’m headed out to Phoenix to do a really fun collab with Hailie Deegan, so definitely stay tuned for that. A lot of exciting things coming up, and it’s going to be great. We’ve got a great team, a great race car, and we’re looking forward to showing the Texas fans some great racing.”

The 2026 NHRA season has already given Ron Capps Motorsports plenty to celebrate. Capps has collected three Funny Car victories, Gordon has earned her first Top Fuel win, and both teams have continued building relationships with important partners.

Capps wants to make a significant move in the Funny Car championship standings, and Gordon wants to finish her rookie Top Fuel season with the kind of performances that will give her team additional momentum. The Texas FallNationals offers both drivers an opportunity to accomplish those goals.