Ron Capps would not maintain again on his approach to Gainesville

It was a historic season in some ways for Ron Capps final yr, because the Humorous Automotive veteran gained his second consecutive World Championship within the NHRA Tenting World Drag Racing Season.

Nevertheless it was additionally his first as a workforce proprietor, changing into the primary consecutive World Champion in Humorous Automotive in 20 years. He provides Capps loads of momentum in 2023 along with his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Elements Toyota GR Supra, the place he stays as motivated as ever to reach the legendary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

Recent off a season that included 5 wins, six No. 1 and 9 closing rounds, Capps, a three-time world champion, has had unimaginable moments in 2022. pushed to succeed, partially as a result of stellar competitors surrounding him in Humorous Automotive.

It has been lots of enjoyable and we won’t watch for 2023, Capps mentioned. It was to take pleasure in all these moments as they occurred, however you need to discover a approach to inspire your self or else you’ll fall off that ladder in school. There’s loads to get up and be motivated and it isn’t exhausting for me to be motivated. We may have our arms full and there are a lot of groups who’ve been working exhausting. It is going to be the hardest yr ever, for sure.

Tripp Tatum (High Gas), Matt Hagan (Humorous Automotive), Dallas Glenn (Professional Inventory) and Karen Stoffer (Professional Inventory Bike) scored wins throughout a record-breaking weekend in Gainesville final yr. This yr’s occasion shall be televised on each Fox Sports activities 1 (FS1) and the FOX broadcast community, together with protection of the eliminations beginning at 12pm ET on Sunday to open up the season.

Capps received off to a flying begin final yr in his first race as a workforce proprietor, qualifying no. 1 and advancing to the ultimate spherical. He could be thrilled this weekend in Gainesville, the place Capps racked up 4 wins in his legendary profession. Sitting on 73 profession wins, the star participant can also be nearing his seventy fifth win milestone. That shall be an enormous focus throughout his 2023 season, however Capps is aiming for a win in Gainesville and likewise an opportunity to problem for a fourth world title.

The category, nevertheless, stays loaded, as Capps will face the likes of Robert Hight, who gained eight races final season, defending occasion winner Hagan, John Drive, JR Todd, Tim Wilkerson, Alexis DeJoria, Bob Tasca III and Cruz Pedrogon.

I am thrilled to be again within the automobile, Capps mentioned. I’ve seen all these different drivers on social media making successes with their automobiles in testing all through the low season and I am thrilled to lastly be again even now. The climate seems nice; it will likely be sizzling, it will likely be sophisticated. The Gatornationals is a historic race, so I might love nothing greater than to win this weekend and begin the season on a superb notice.

In High Gas, Brittany Drive will start her title protection with hopes of profitable for the second time in Gainesville. Different prime contenders embody Steve Torrence, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher and Justin Ashley. The Pep Boys NHRA High Gas All-Star Callout can even happen on Saturday, with Drive, Torrence, Ashley, Mike Salinas, Doug Kalitta, Josh Hart, Austin Prock and Clay Millican all competing for an enormous win within the one-day particular competitors.

Defending world champion Erica Enders will attempt to win in Gainesville for the primary time, dealing with Professional Inventory stars Greg Anderson, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Glenn. In Professional Inventory Bike, Matt Smith, who has gained three consecutive world titles, is aiming for a 3rd Gatornationals win, however should go Eddie Krawiec, Angie Smith, Jerry Savoie, Steve Johnson and Joey Gladstone.

Moreover, the Gatornationals will set the stage for the primary ever #2Fast2Tasty Mission NHRA Problem. The Gainesville semifinalists will compete on Saturday throughout qualifying on the subsequent occasion in Phoenix, with bonus money and factors up for grabs as a part of the brand new particular schedule for 2023.

The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals can even characteristic thrilling competitors within the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Sequence, together with season debuts for the NHRA Professional Mod Sequence and Flexjet NHRA Manufacturing unit Inventory Showdown. The Complete Seal Tech Discuss will happen Friday and Saturday in Matt Hartford’s pits, with an autograph session happening on the Dodge Show on Friday that includes Dodge-sponsored drivers. Followers also can sit up for the thrilling crowds happening at Scorching Rod Junction on each Friday and Saturday.

Within the lead as much as the race, a particular Gatornationals Fan Fest shall be held Wednesday, March 8 from 6-9pm on the Josh Harts Burnyzz Velocity ​​Store in close by Ocala. The High Gas standout will host an occasion that includes a automobile present, dwell music and a driver signing session from 7-8pm. A particular championship press convention and kickoff occasion will comply with the following day on the Hilton College of Florida in Gainesville, honoring 2022 NHRA World Champions Drive, Capps, Enders and M. Smith, and that includes Hart, J. Drive and legendary Huge Daddy racer Don Garlits.

Garlits shall be a visitor all through the weekend and 6 of its historic dragsters shall be featured in a particular Swamp Rat Alley part inside Scorching Rod Junction, giving followers a singular alternative to take a look at the automobiles that made their means historical past. Garlits can even be accessible for autographs with followers and shall be doing an exhibit go throughout the race.

Extra NHRA legends will take part in a particular autograph and Q&A session within the High Eliminator Membership on Saturday, whereas all followers are invited to the first-ever Nitro Alley Stage, which can assist create a festive environment main as much as the nitro pits. The Nitro Alley Stage would be the fundamental pit leisure heart when Tenting World Drag Racing Sequence rivals will not be on the monitor, internet hosting Nitro College, meet and greets, music and far more.

Racing lovers at Gainesville Raceway can take pleasure in particular pre-race ceremonies that introduce and rejoice every of the drivers competing for the distinguished Wally on Sunday and embody the fan-favorite SealMaster Monitor Stroll, benefiting the Darrell Gwynn Basis in Gainesville. The ultimate must-have expertise of any NHRA occasion is the winners circle celebration Sunday after the races conclude, the place followers are invited to congratulate the winners of the season opener.

As at all times, followers can even obtain an unique go to probably the most highly effective and sensory motorsport attraction on the planet in Gainesville. This chance presents followers a one-of-a-kind alternative to see the groups in motion and repair their sizzling rods between rounds, get autographs from their favourite NHRA drivers, and extra. Followers also can go to NHRA’s famed Nitro Alley and Producers Halfway, the place racing sponsors and distributors create an thrilling environment that features interactive shows, simulated races, merchandise, meals, and household enjoyable.

NHRA Tenting World Drag Racing Sequence qualifying will characteristic two rounds at 1:30pm and 4pm ET on Friday, March 10, and the ultimate two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 11 at 12:00pm and three:00pm Closing Eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 12. TV protection contains qualifying motion on FS1 at 10am ET. Saturday and Sunday at 9am, main as much as eliminations dwell on FOX at 12pm ET.

The opening spherical of the Pep Boys NHRA High Gas All-Star Callout will happen on Saturday at 1:20 PM ET, with the Semi-Finals following at 2:45 PM The Finals are scheduled for 4:25 PM and the callout shall be given a primetime broadcast plan on FS1 at 10:30 ET on Sunday.

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