As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series approaches its midpoint, Ron Capps and Maddi Gordon are heading to one of the sport’s most iconic venues with plenty of momentum and optimism.
The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, marks a pivotal point in the 2026 season. This event provides Capps another opportunity to protect his Funny Car points lead and continue a championship-caliber campaign. Meanwhile, Gordon gets a chance to make her first Top Fuel appearance at one of her favorite events on the NHRA schedule.
Ron Capps Continues To Lead The Funny Car Championship Battle
Few drivers have been more consistent through the first nine races of the 2026 NHRA season than Ron Capps.
The three-time NHRA Funny Car world champion has spent seven of the first nine events leading the championship standings thanks to a season highlighted by two victories, one runner-up finish, two No. 1 qualifiers, and semifinal appearances at each of the last three races.
That consistency has kept the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car at the top of one of the deepest Funny Car fields in recent memory. This weekend, Capps will also compete in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge after advancing to the semifinals at Bristol Dragway.
As the regular season begins winding toward the Countdown to the Championship, Capps understands how important the Norwalk stop can be for teams chasing a title.
“We’re headed into a unique part of the season,” Capps said. “When you think of Norwalk, Ohio, you think of the Bader family, the weather, the ice cream scoop trophy, and all the unique things that surround the Norwalk Nationals.”
The veteran knows the calendar begins moving quickly after Norwalk.
“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,” Capps said. “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 Presents A Unique Challenge
Summit Motorsports Park has long been regarded as one of the premier facilities in NHRA drag racing, but the event’s summer conditions often create a unique challenge for teams.
Changing weather, fluctuating track conditions, and packed grandstands make Norwalk one of the toughest races on the schedule.
“Norwalk is one of those races where you feel like it’s really demanding on everyone on the team,” Capps said. “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.”
Despite those challenges, Capps believes his team is well-positioned heading into the weekend.
“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.”
Maddi Gordon Returns To A Favorite NHRA Venue
While Capps focuses on the Funny Car title chase, Maddi Gordon enters the weekend excited for a different reason.
The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will mark Gordon’s first appearance at Norwalk as a Top Fuel driver after previously competing at the track in Top Alcohol Funny Car. In 2024, she reached the final round and finished runner-up, giving her valuable experience at one of the most popular venues on the NHRA tour.
“Heading back out for the next race,” Gordon said. “It’s crazy to think we’re almost halfway through the season. It does not feel like we’ve already run nine races, but here we are.”
Norwalk has become one of Gordon’s favorite stops because of the atmosphere created by Summit Motorsports Park owner Bill Bader Jr. and his staff.
“Norwalk is actually one of my favorite races on the tour because of the amazing show that Bill Bader puts on,” Gordon said. “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.”
Confidence Continues To Build For The Carlyle Tools Team
The rookie Top Fuel campaign has brought valuable experience for Gordon and the Carlyle Tools team, and confidence continues to grow with each race weekend.
Gordon spent part of the off week supporting NAPA Racing teammates at the NASCAR Truck Series event in San Diego alongside Capps before shifting her focus back to NHRA competition.
“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,” Gordon said. “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.”
Like Capps, Gordon believes the pieces are in place for a breakthrough performance.
“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.”
As the NHRA season approaches its halfway mark, every round win becomes increasingly important.
With championship implications, the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and one of the sport’s most celebrated race weekends on deck, Ron Capps Motorsports heads to Norwalk looking to add another chapter to what has already been an impressive 2026 season.
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