Bristol Pre-Race Report
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Event 9 of 22
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tenn.
June 17 – 19, 2022
RON CAPPS: Driver of the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra Funny Car
- As a five-time Bristol Dragway winner, Capps leads the Funny Car category in number of Thunder Valley Nationals triumphs
- The two-time and defending Funny Car series champion, and newest member of the Toyota Racing family, is vying to become the first of three Toyota GR Supra Funny Car pilots to win a Wally trophy aboard a Supra
- Fans are invited to join Capps, NASCAR legend Michael Waltrip, and NHRA on FOX lead broadcaster, Brian Lohnes, on Thursday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Michael Waltrip Brewing Co. (221 Moore St., Bristol, Va.) for Capps’ ‘Wingin’ it with Ron’ Bristol stop
- Capps will join several of his Camping World Series competitors at the ‘Thunder Valley Nationals Fan Fest in the Pits’ autograph session on Saturday evening. The event will begin approx. 30 minutes post-nitro qualifying and will be located in the pro pits.
“Well, this is definitely one of the most fun parts of the season. For me, I’m so pumped that we have the Thunder Valley Nationals back on the schedule during Father’s Day weekend. It was unique to run it in October last year, but I think both the racers and the fans are happy to have it back on its traditional June date. We always brag about the fans, and the facility, and everything that comes with this event. Friday night qualifying in the mountain is awesome, and the big Fan Fest that the track holds after Saturday qualifying always draws a big crowd, it’s just such a great weekend overall.
“As a Funny Car driver, there’s not many times you can say you’ve won something more than John Force, and the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to win this race five times is pretty special. This is a good time in the season for us to get back to our winning ways. The goal, for now, remains the same, and that’s to park our NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra in the winner’s circle on Sunday, and Bristol is the perfect place to do it.”
About Ron Capps Motorsports
Established in 2021, Ron Capps Motorsports is a single-car NHRA Funny Car team owned and operated by reigning and two-time world champion Ron Capps. Headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., the team made its on-track debut in 2022, and competes on the 22-race NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit thanks to the support of NAPA AUTO PARTS, Toyota, and GearWrench.Capps, who serves as both the owner and driver of his namesake operation, is the second-winningest Funny Car pilot in NHRA history with 68 wins in the category, and 69 overall (1 Top Fuel). The 2022 NHRA season marks Capps’ 28th year competing in the sport’s professional ranks.
