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Heading into the opening race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, this weekend’s 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Funny Car standout Ron Capps knows the challenge that awaits.
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The back-to-back world champ leads the loaded Funny Car field heading into Reading, and he’s also feeling great thanks to back-to-back wins to end the regular season. That includes a second straight U.S. Nationals victory, but Capps is fully aware that doesn’t make things any easier in the six-race sprint to a world championship.
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He leads Matt Hagan by just 24 points, and with a host of incredible standouts in the field, Capps will have his work cut out for him in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra. But those are also the moments the 76-time event winner seems to live for, especially this time of year.
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“Legitimately, the class feels tougher than last year,” Capps said. “It’s incredible how many cars have a shot going forward. You’re going to have to throw down at this track. It’s a very fine line with the conditions we’re going to see. I’m excited to get there and get these juices flowing to start the Countdown. We’ve got a great hot rod, and that’s a good thing for me as a driver, but it’s time for me to focus. I love this playoff time of the year. You’ve got to step up now, and if you don’t, you’re going to be behind.”
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Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), and Joey Gladstone (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won last year’s race in Reading, which will again be broadcast on the FOX broadcast network and FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations coverage starting at either 2 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday on FOX. It is the first of six playoff races, and the 16th of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA season, and Capps, already a three-time world champion, is seeking a third straight world title.

Of course, a quick start in Reading would be beneficial. Capps holds the track record at the fan-favorite facility, going 3.837 seconds at a whopping 339.28 mph in 2019, but he’s also only won at the track once (2017). He’s ready to change that and put up big numbers at a track known for its awe-inspiring performances.
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Capps, though, isn’t the only one capable of putting up huge numbers at Maple Grove Raceway, as the championship contenders in Funny Car include the likes of defending event winner Robert Hight, Hagan, seven-time race winner John Force, Cruz Pedregon, J.R. Todd, who opens fifth in points, Bob Tasca III, Alexis DeJoria, Chad Green, and Tim Wilkerson. But everyone is chasing Capps at the moment, and he loves what his team has done this year. He won in both Brainerd and Indy heading into the Countdown to the Championship and won’t budge easily from the top spot.
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“We’re doing something extra special, and it’s been fun. It’s fun to wake up and show up in the pit area talking about our strategy and figuring out what we’re going to do,” Capps said. “I live off that, and it’s great. It’s probably been the toughest field I’ve ever been in with all these good cars, but I feel like we’ve been consistently good, no matter the conditions. You’re going to have to pack a big lunch to beat the NAPA car. This Countdown is going to be tough, no doubt, but we’ll see how it all plays out.”

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2 and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 15 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 17. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 12:30 p.m. on Sunday on FS1, and then eliminations on FOX at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday, depending on local listings.
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To purchase tickets to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans can visit . All children 12 and under are admitted free in the general-admission area with a paid adult.��