Ron Capps will be the first NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series driver to make a start in Superstar Racing Experience competition.
The three-time Funny Car champion has committed to race the fifth round of the six-race SRX tour at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway on Aug. 10.
“It’s incredible to know that I’ll be joining some of the best race car drivers in the world on such a historic and fast race track,” Capps said. “I’ll be a little out of my comfort zone, but I’m going to try and make our fans proud.”
While Capps is known for his straight-line speed, the late-summer SRX race will not be his first time on track at Eldora.
In the late 2000’s, the drag racer wheeled a dirt late model in “The Prelude to the Dream” — a charity race at the speedway that featured prominent drivers from NASCAR, IndyCar, the World of Outlaws and NHRA. Over the event’s eight-year span, Capps was one of the only drivers to appear every summer.
His best finish came during the second running — in 2006 — when he came in fourth. The race was last held in 2012, where Capps finished 23rd in the 26-car field. Capps has also competed on dirt in the famed Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.
Now, NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored driver will return to the site of his past dreams, now behind the wheel of a purpose-built stock car. He’ll trade his 12,000 horsepower Funny Car for the 700-horsepower race car to make a few laps on dirt, rather than chase a win light at the end of a drag strip.
“SRX pretty much took the motorsports world by storm three years ago. We all grew up watching the IROC series and ‘Thursday Night Thunder’ was something I never missed as a fan,” Capps said. “It is such an honor to be selected to join the SRX series this year.”
Other confirmed drivers for the SRX race at Eldora, which will be televised on ESPN’s “Thursday Night Thunder,” include Tony Kanaan, Brad Keselowski, Hailie Deegan, Bobby Labonte, Paul Tracy, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Tony Stewart.