Few drivers in NHRA history have built a relationship with a racetrack quite like Ron Capps has with Bristol Dragway.
As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads to the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Capps arrives carrying the Funny Car points lead, defending event winner status, and a newly earned place among the legends of one of drag racing’s most iconic venues.
Meanwhile, Ron Capps Motorsports teammate Maddi Gordon is preparing for a milestone of her own. The Top Fuel rookie will make her first-ever appearance at Bristol Dragway, giving her a chance to experience the unique atmosphere of Thunder Valley that has captivated racers and fans for decades.
Ron Capps Adds Another Chapter To His Bristol Legacy
If there is one active driver synonymous with Bristol Dragway, it’s Ron Capps.
The NAPA Auto Care Funny Car driver enters the weekend as an eight-time Thunder Valley Nationals champion, making him the winningest Mission Foods Series competitor in Bristol history. His victories span nearly 25 years, with wins in 2001, 2006, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, and most recently in 2025.
Capps has also been named the 2026 inductee into Bristol Dragway’s prestigious Legends of Thunder Valley Hall of Fame. The honor makes him the 24th inductee and only the third active driver ever recognized while still competing.
The announcement carries special significance for the three-time NHRA Funny Car world champion.
“Man, where do I start? Obviously, Bristol is a special place for me as a racer with all the wins and incredible moments there over the years. Wins with different crew chiefs, different owners. Don Schumacher, and of course, I started my career there with Don Prudhomme. It takes me back to my first race there when they built it. I’ll never forget walking into Thunder Valley with ‘The Snake’ and looking around in awe, and I still feel that way when I pull in every year,” said Capps.
“The phone call I got when I was told I was being added as one of the Legends of Thunder Valley was surreal. I feel like it’ll really hit me when I’m in the car pulling up, and I see my name up on the side of the grandstand with all those other legendary names.”
Defending Champion And Points Leader
Capps enters Bristol on a roll.
Through eight races in the 2026 season, the Ron Capps Motorsports owner-driver has posted two victories, a runner-up finish, two No. 1 qualifying efforts, and back-to-back semifinal appearances. Those results have kept him atop the Funny Car standings for the fifth time this season.
His recent success at Bristol only strengthens the confidence level heading into Thunder Valley. Capps has won three of the last four Bristol events and still owns the Bristol Dragway Funny Car elapsed-time record with a blistering 3.884-second run set in 2016.
The combination of track history and current momentum makes Bristol one of the most anticipated stops on his schedule.
“My past history there has been so great, and it’s been fun this year to talk with Maddi and her excitement about going there for the first time and explaining all the cool things that make Bristol Dragway so neat,” Capps said.
“I’m especially excited for her to experience that moment when you pull the ‘chutes on that first run and you hear the car echo through Thunder Valley; it’s really awesome. We’ve got a lot of fun things coming up, we’re leading the points going in, and we love seeing Bristol on the calendar. Looking forward to a great weekend with our NAPA and Carlyle Tools guys and seeing if we can’t add to our RCM Bristol Wally count.”
Maddi Gordon Ready For Thunder Valley Experience
While Capps brings decades of Bristol memories, Maddi Gordon is preparing to create her first.
The Carlyle Tools Top Fuel driver continues to build valuable experience during her rookie campaign and enters Bristol encouraged by the performance shown at the New England Nationals.
Gordon advanced to the quarterfinals in Epping and posted a strong 3.75-second run that reinforced the team’s belief in its performance potential.
“I’ve never been to Bristol but have heard amazing things,” said Gordon. “This three-race stretch is when the season really kicks into high gear. Fortunately, last weekend, we ran a 3.75, which ended up being second-low (E.T.) of the first round, and that was a huge confidence booster for our team. It’s really shown us that our Carlyle Tools dragster is capable of making the horsepower that we know it can, and that’s awesome for team morale. And for myself, I got some really good experience pedaling in the second round.”
For a young driver still learning the nuances of driving a 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster, every pass provides another building block. The confidence gained from Epping could prove valuable at Bristol, where changing track conditions and the unique stadium-like atmosphere create challenges unlike anywhere else on the NHRA schedule.
Momentum Building For Ron Capps Motorsports
As the NHRA season enters a critical summer stretch, both Ron Capps Motorsports entries have reasons for optimism.
Capps continues to lead the Funny Car championship chase while Gordon steadily improves her performance and race-day execution. The organization also arrives in Bristol with increased support from NAPA Auto Parts, Carlyle Tools, and key partners eager to capitalize on one of NHRA’s most popular events.
For Gordon, the weekend begins with a unique pre-race activity before focusing on competition.
“Just really looking forward to getting out to Bristol and putting on a good show for all the fans as well as visiting with all of our NAPA and Carlyle folks who are coming out. We’re definitely looking to show up and show out for them and have a good weekend. I’m going to kick things off by trap shooting on Thursday before the event. So, good times all around and hopefully we can have a good and fast weekend out there.”
As Thunder Valley prepares to welcome another packed crowd of NHRA fans, one story centers on a Bristol legend adding another chapter to an already remarkable legacy. The other focuses on a rookie driver preparing to experience one of drag racing’s most iconic venues for the very first time.
You might also like
Jonathan Allegrucci Chases History As Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Heads To Bristol
The Factory Stock Showdown class is going to be action-packed this weekend. Jonathan Allegrucci could pick up a historic third win at Bristol.
