NHRA Mile-High Nationals Pre-Race Report
NHRA Mile-High Nationals
Event 10 of 21
Bandimere Speedway
Morrison, Colo.
July 14-16, 2023
RON CAPPS: Driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car
NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Highlights:
2009 event champion and No. 1 qualifier
Three-time runner-up (1998, 2007, 2018)
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fifth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Paul Lee in E1; defeated by Bob Tasca in E2)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Alex Laughlin in E1; defeated by J.R. Todd in E2)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; one win, three runner-up finishes, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
617 races; 74 wins, 37 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Highlights:
2009 event champion and No. 1 qualifier
Three-time runner-up (1998, 2007, 2018)
2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fifth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Paul Lee in E1; defeated by Bob Tasca in E2)
Last Event (Norwalk):
Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Alex Laughlin in E1; defeated by J.R. Todd in E2)
2023 Statistics:
Nine races; one win, three runner-up finishes, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
617 races; 74 wins, 37 No. 1 qualifiers
The Mile-High Nationals serves as the kick-off to the three-race Western Swing
Capps is a nine-time winner on "the swing" with one Denver triumph, four wins in Seattle, and four in Sonoma
As a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, Capps is vying to win Toyota’s 200th NHRA trophy (current Toyota NHRA win count: 199)
Capps will participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, and will attempt to win his third Mission Foods specialty race
The three-time and twice-defending series champ begins the Western Swing ranked second in the Funny Car standings with only four points separating him from the No. 1 ranked driver
As a 74-time national event champion, Capps is seeking his milestone 75th career victory
Fan Events:
Saturday, 12:30 – 1:00 p.m., #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway display
Quotable:
“Bandimere Speedway is an incredible facility and we’re all sad to see it go away after this weekend. It’s got an incredible history and legacy, and the Bandimere family and what they’ve brought to NHRA will be hard to replace.
“Anyone that’s raced at the Mile-High Nationals will tell you, it’s one of the most difficult tracks on tour. For the racers, winning at Denver is the most gratifying win you can have. The conditions up there will put any team under duress. If you can leave there with the trophy, you’ve done everything you can. It’s definitely a meaningful race to win. You’re going to see it in every press release this weekend – every driver, every team is going to be talking about how they want that last Bandimere trophy. Obviously, the NAPA team has had great success over the years. Guido (crew chief Dean Antonelli) has got that ‘Get Up and Go’ mentality that I always talk about, and what he does with our NAPA team and the preparation that it takes to do well in Denver, it gives me so much confidence as a driver. We’re looking forward to starting this West Coast Swing off strong and hopefully that’ll result in a trophy this Sunday.”
About Ron Capps Motorsports
Established in 2021, Ron Capps Motorsports is a single-car NHRA Funny Car team owned and operated by reigning and three-time world champion Ron Capps. Headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., the team made its on-track debut in 2022 and competes on the 21-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 73 wins in the category. His 74 overall wins (1 Top Fuel) rank sixth amongst NHRA’s four premier classes. The 2023 NHRA season marks Capps’ 29th year competing in the sport’s professional ranks.
