Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK
Event 6 of 20
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
May 15 – 17, 2026
Driver Information:
RON CAPPS
Driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car
Route 66 Raceway Highlights:
2025 Route 66 NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified sixth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1; defeated by Matt Hagan in E2)
Last Event (Valdosta):
Qualified 13th; First round exit (defeated by Chad Green in E1)
2026 Statistics:
Five races; two wins, one runner-up finish, two No. 1 qualifiers
Career Statistics:
673 races; 79 wins, 39 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Fan Events:
Quotable:
“This is a track that we thought we lost on the tour, but thankfully NHRA was able to come together and revive the event. We’ve got such great fans in that part of the country, so it was a big deal when we added this event back to the schedule. I’ve said for years, this is sort of a home race for the Brownsburg teams because Joliet is not too far from Indy. With it only being a few hours away, a lot of family and friends of our team members come out to show their support, and that’s always important.
“I have quite a few fond memories from Route 66 Raceway. I remember being on the track for the very first time right after it was built back when I was driving for Don ‘the Snake’ Prudhomme. I’ve got a couple of wins there and it’s always been a special place. And now, I’m looking forward to going there as a team owner and getting to see Maddi run her first race there in Top Fuel.
“We’ve got our sights set on reclaiming the points lead this weekend, and of course we always want to put on a great show for all of our NAPA supporters. We’re running a special Dorman OE Fix decal on our car in Joliet as part of a one-weekend NAPA supplier program partnership, and I’m looking forward to meeting all the Dorman guests who will be hanging out with us in our Ron Capps Motorsports hospitality tent.”
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Event 6 of 20
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
May 15 – 17, 2026
Driver Information:
RON CAPPS
Driver of the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car
Route 66 Raceway Highlights:
- Two-time winner
- 2017 Route 66 Nationals
- 2005 Fall race (discontinued after 2005)
- Five-time runner-up (2002 Fall race; 2007, 2016, 2018, 2023)
- 2013 No. 1 qualifier
2025 Route 66 NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified sixth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Alexis DeJoria in E1; defeated by Matt Hagan in E2)
Last Event (Valdosta):
Qualified 13th; First round exit (defeated by Chad Green in E1)
2026 Statistics:
Five races; two wins, one runner-up finish, two No. 1 qualifiers
Career Statistics:
673 races; 79 wins, 39 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
- Looking to reclaim the Funny Car points lead after having slipped to second place in Valdosta. Capps sits a mere three points out of first thanks to his standout 2026 performance, which includes two wins, a runner-up finish and two poles through the first five races
- Enters the weekend with 949 career round wins and is looking to surpass the 950 milestone in Joliet
- Will run a Dorman OE Fix decal on his car throughout the weekend as part of a NAPA supplier partnership
Fan Events:
- Friday, 12:00 p.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
- Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Ron Capps Motorsports driver autograph session, Carlyle Tools midway display
Quotable:
“This is a track that we thought we lost on the tour, but thankfully NHRA was able to come together and revive the event. We’ve got such great fans in that part of the country, so it was a big deal when we added this event back to the schedule. I’ve said for years, this is sort of a home race for the Brownsburg teams because Joliet is not too far from Indy. With it only being a few hours away, a lot of family and friends of our team members come out to show their support, and that’s always important.
“I have quite a few fond memories from Route 66 Raceway. I remember being on the track for the very first time right after it was built back when I was driving for Don ‘the Snake’ Prudhomme. I’ve got a couple of wins there and it’s always been a special place. And now, I’m looking forward to going there as a team owner and getting to see Maddi run her first race there in Top Fuel.
“We’ve got our sights set on reclaiming the points lead this weekend, and of course we always want to put on a great show for all of our NAPA supporters. We’re running a special Dorman OE Fix decal on our car in Joliet as part of a one-weekend NAPA supplier program partnership, and I’m looking forward to meeting all the Dorman guests who will be hanging out with us in our Ron Capps Motorsports hospitality tent.”
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