Ron Capps’ red-hot begin to the 2026 NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection season rolled on on the NHRA 4-Vast Nationals Sunday afternoon at zMAX Dragway because the three-time world champion secured his second win of the 12 months in his third consecutive remaining spherical. Driving his NAPA Auto Care Humorous Automobile on the fourth of 20 races this season, Capps certified No. 1 and carried that momentum via eliminations. He defeated fellow previous world champions Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, and J.R. Todd within the remaining quad to attain his 79th profession victory, extending his factors lead within the course of.
Capps posted a stable 3.988 E.T. at 321.65 mph on the board in Friday’s first qualifying session earlier than throwing down a 3.883-second blast at 333.91 mph, one in all simply two 3.8-second passes within the second session, to complete Friday because the provisional No. 1 qualifier, incomes three championship bonus factors within the course of. Within the third qualifying session, which additionally counted as the primary spherical of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Problem, Capps recorded the quickest go of the quad, a 3.957 E.T., to advance. He was the quickest of the quad once more within the remaining together with his 3.929 E.T., however got here up simply two-thousandths-of-a-second brief to Jordan Vandergriff, who received on a holeshot. Capps was additionally the second-quickest and quickest driver total in Saturday’s two qualifying classes, respectively, incomes one other 5 whole bonus factors.
Certified No. 1, Capps and crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli continued their class-leading efficiency in Sunday’s opening spherical of eliminations as Capps fired off low E.T. of the spherical, a 3.865-second go at 333.00 mph, to defeat Chad Inexperienced, Austin Prock, and Spencer Hyde. His 3.923 E.T. within the subsequent spherical was the second-quickest of the semifinal quad, sending him into the ultimate spherical.
The finals have been a showdown that includes 4 of probably the most achieved drivers within the class. Capps moved first off the beginning line and charged to a 3.905-second go at 334.90 mph to complete first forward of Beckman, Hagan, and Todd, and clinch his fifth zMAX Dragway victory.
“The key to this success is simply surrounding your self with nice individuals,” stated Capps, who will probably be inducted into the Motorsports Corridor of Fame of America’s Class of 2027, it was introduced final week. “I’ve been that method my entire profession. I can’t consider I’ve as many trophies as I’ve, and it’s with all nice individuals. The good Roland Leong taught me rather a lot about racing, be an incredible racer total and an incredible individual when you’re doing it, and to actually respect all people. Guido and the NAPA Auto Care guys gave me an incredible automobile as we speak and I simply didn’t need to mess something up.”
Charlotte was the fourth race for Ron Capps Motorsports as a two-car operation after including Maddi Gordon and the Carlyle Instruments Prime Gasoline staff to the roster over the offseason. What might’ve develop into a distraction has as a substitute strengthened the fifth-year group. Capps began the season because the No. 1 qualifier on the Gatornationals, received the Arizona Nationals, reached the ultimate spherical on the Winternationals, and now received the 4-Vast Nationals.
“This all occurs in December. I stated that in Phoenix,” defined Capps, one of many latest additions to NHRA’s Prime 75 Drivers record. “It’s all the trouble in the course of the off-weeks. So as to add a staff like we did with Maddi and to look at that every one come along with the companions we’ve like NAPA Auto Elements and Carlyle Instruments after which Monster Power approaching board, it’s particular. We had Casey (VanKeuren) from Monster Power right here. She brings good luck for us on a regular basis. We additionally had NAPA Premium Brakes Booster with Motorcar Elements of America, and Okuma on board this weekend. Maddi and I get to go go to NAPA headquarters this week, and to take this seventy fifth anniversary diamond Wally there’s going to be fairly superior.”
Following the midweek journey to NAPA Auto Elements headquarters in Atlanta, Capps and the NAPA Auto Care Humorous Automobile staff will roll into South Georgia Motorsports Park for the primary time because it hosts the NHRA Southern Nationals, Could 1-3.
This story was initially revealed on April 27, 2026. 
