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Thunder Valley Rebound Jun 13, 2025 // NHRA Event FC Results // editor3X NHRA Funny Car world champion Ron Capps has become the all-time wins leader for fabled Bristol Dragway.
During last weekends 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the popular California based driver snapped a 33-race winless streak by defeating Paul Lee in the final round.
Capps made the best run of his weekend in that final — going 3.957-seconds at 328.06 mph in his NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra to chase down Lee and win for the eighth time at Bristol Dragway, surpassing Tony Schumacher for the most in track history.
Ron Capps collected his 77th career win in his NHRA history. eliminator. It also gave Capps a huge sigh of relief — his last victory before came at Indianapolis in 2023, but the veteran found his groove again in Thunder Valley, winning at the scenic track for the third time in four years.
Capps knocked off Matt Hagan, Epping winner J.R. Todd and Dave Richards to reach the final, turning in a classic performance to get his 77th career win and moving to fourth in points.
“We’re a single car team, and we can’t lean on other teams so it’s been a little more difficult,” Capps said. “Even when we were struggling, I never once questioned Guido [crew chief Dean Antonelli]. I just knew we had to get better, and we stuck with the plan.
“I knew we’d have times when we’d struggle, but as an owner I’ve watched it and tried to handle it a certain way. This is a grueling track. To win more here more times than John Force says a lot. I’ve known for a long time that I’ll be No. 2 to John Force in everything but to have eight wins here is awesome. To win so many times at a track that is so demanding on a driver and crew chiefs, it makes you feel like you’ve won a championship.”
Lee reached the final round for the third time this season with wins against Chad Green, Buddy Hull and Daniel Wilkerson. He’s now second in points, while Austin Prock stayed in the points lead despite a second straight first-round loss.
Paul Lee continued his impressive 2025 season – going to his 3rd final round so far. On Saturday in Funny Car, J.R. Todd (last weekend’s winner at NHRA New England) securing his first victory of the year within the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. JR had a run of 4.004 at 326.24 in his DHL Toyota GR Supra to defeat Jack Beckman.
He took down Alexis DeJoria in the opening round of the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus race.
JR Todd won the #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car Challenge event on Saturday at Bristol. NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals – Funny Car Class Summary
WIN: Ron Capps – 3.957 secs 328.06 mph (Career win #77)
R/UP: Paul Lee – 3.967 secs 306.88 mph
Low ET: Austin Prock – 3.931 secs
Top MPH: Austin Prock – 329.10 mph
Bump: 5.230
Entries – 16 cars
Norway’s Julie Nataas made her FC class debut. She qualified #13 and won her first round over Jack Beckman – within a terrific initial effort. 
Austin Prock qualified #1 and set both low ET and top speed — but for the 2nd race in a row bowed out in round #1! 
Dave Richards continues his NHRA circuit improvement – he went to the “final four” in FC on Sunday. Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave DeAngelisFrom more Funny Car photos from NHRA Bristol – visit event gallery: HERE
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