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358 sprint car driver Ashley Cappetta continues to build momentum in the early stages of the 2026 season, turning a challenging outing into a turning point while stringing together consistent performances at Lincoln Speedway.

Cappetta’s season included a difficult start at BAPS Motor Speedway on March 29, where mechanical issues plagued the team throughout the night. After experiencing spark plug or magbox issues early in the program, the team made adjustments, but the car never responded as expected. The night ultimately ended in a DNF, marking a frustrating return to the speedway after a successful test and tune during Cappetta’s most recent visit to the track.

Despite the setback, Cappetta and her team used the experience as a catalyst for change.

“We had notes from testing and felt confident going in, but it just didn’t translate,” Cappetta said. “That night really pushed us to make a change in our setup.”

Following BAPS, the team implemented a new shock package—an adjustment that has since paid dividends.

The impact was immediate at Lincoln Speedway. On April 4, Cappetta earned a heat race victory and drove to a strong sixth-place finish in the feature, marking her first race utilizing the updated setup.

The following weeks continued to show progress. Cappetta backed up her performance with a fifth-place finish during the prestigious Weldon Sterner Memorial event, demonstrating both speed and growing confidence behind the wheel.

“The car has been more consistent, and I feel like I can feel what it’s doing a lot better,” Cappetta explained. “That’s allowed me to be more aggressive and make better decisions on the track.”

Additional guidance has also played a role in the team’s improvement, as Cappetta has leaned on experienced driver Brad McClelland for insight and perspective.

“Having someone who understands both the cars and my driving style has been a big help,” she said. “It’s helped me focus on improving myself and making smarter moves during the race.”

Most recently, Cappetta continued her streak of consistency at Lincoln, narrowly missing another top-10 finish. Starting deep in the lineup, she worked her way forward to finish just outside the top 10 after battling for track position and avoiding incidents.

“We’ve been consistently around the top 10, which is where we want to be,” Cappetta said. “Even on nights where things don’t go our way early, we’re still able to move forward.”

Looking ahead, Cappetta plans to expand her schedule in an effort to gain additional seat time and continue refining her program. Upcoming events include a first-ever visit to Bedford Speedway.

“Seat time is everything,” she said. “The more laps we run, the more we can learn and improve.”

In addition to her on-track efforts, Cappetta remains active in fan engagement and community outreach, with appearances at events, including the Sprint Car Experience at Hershey Stadium with the World of Outlaws. She has also had her car at local school events.

With steady improvement, renewed confidence, and a refined setup, Cappetta is poised to continue her upward trajectory as the season progresses.

Ashley Cappetta kicked off her 2026 racing season in impressive fashion on Saturday, March 14, at Lincoln Speedway, with a second-place finish in the 358 Sprint Car division.

Despite an uncharacteristically low early-season car count, Cappetta and her team made the most of the opportunity, showing speed and consistency from the start of the night.

“We were a little surprised by the car count,” Cappetta said. “But it’s early in the season, it was cold, and not everyone is ready yet. We were just focused on making the most of what we had.”

While a hot lap experiment didn’t go as planned, she quickly rebounded, making the right adjustments for the remainder of the night. After a decent pill draw, Cappetta earned a strong feature starting position through her heat race performance.

“I knew after the heat race what we needed to change,” she said. “The car felt good, and I knew the track would get more challenging as the night went on.”

In the feature, Cappetta showcased both speed and composure, avoiding multiple incidents — including an early pileup and a close call with a spinning car — to remain in contention throughout the race.

“It was definitely intense,” Cappetta said. “There were a couple of really close moments that could have ended our night, but we were able to get through them.”

Battling near the front for the duration of the feature, Cappetta overcame a significant challenge as her brakes faded in and out, forcing her to adapt her driving style, especially on restarts.

“I didn’t have brakes consistently, which made it tough,” she explained. “Restarts were tricky, but in a way they helped because I could work the brakes and keep them somewhat there. On that kind of track, you really need them.”

Despite the setback, Cappetta held strong to secure a second-place finish — a result that carries extra meaning for both her and her team.

“It feels really good to start the season like this,” she said. “My dad puts a lot of work into this car, especially over the winter while I’m focused on my business. I was honestly just as happy for him as I was for myself.”

The strong opening night also carried emotional significance, as Cappetta dedicated the performance to her late grandmother.

“With everything going on, it meant a lot to have a run like that for her,” she added.

Off the track, Cappetta also expressed appreciation for the support shown at her annual preseason fundraiser, which saw a strong turnout despite a busy holiday weekend.

“We really appreciate everyone who came out,” she said. “It’s always great to kick off the season with the people who support us.”

Looking ahead, Cappetta plans to focus her 2026 schedule primarily on Lincoln Speedway and BAPS Motor Speedway, with additional appearances at Williams Grove Speedway and Port Royal Speedway.

Ashley Cappetta wrapped up her 2025 season at Lincoln Speedway last Saturday, closing out a year filled with growth, resilience, and consistency.

After switching from her #89 to the Apple #12 car early in the season, Cappetta set a clear goal for herself and her team — to be stronger and more consistent than in previous years — and she feels confident they achieved just that.

“I just wanted to be better than we’ve been in past seasons, and I feel like we met that expectation,” Cappetta said. “I never expected to end up in the Apple 12 after just a few races, so living that childhood dream has been incredible. Some days it still doesn’t feel real.”

The 2025 season brought several changes for Cappetta, including a new crew chief and crew adjustments midway through the year. Despite those challenges — and setbacks like a broken camshaft that sidelined her while leading the points — Cappetta remained a steady presence in Lincoln’s competitive 358 division.

“We were consistent all season except for a handful of nights,” she noted. “Saturday’s regular feature was probably one of our toughest nights, but overall, this was the most consistent year we’ve had in a long time.”
Cappetta’s night at Lincoln’s season finale was a mixed one, with mechanical gremlins testing her team’s persistence.

“In the make-up feature, I felt okay. If we’d started a little further up, I think we could’ve done better than seventh,” Cappetta said. “The cautions hurt us, but overall, I was happy with that race. In the regular feature, we just couldn’t get things to click — I think the motor is getting tired. It’s time to freshen up our motor program this winter.”

The team plans to rebuild both engines during the off-season, and Cappetta is already setting her sights on an even stronger 2026 campaign.

“This off-season, I want to get back in the gym, get stronger, and make sure the cars and motors are in top shape,” Cappetta said. “We’ll be working on sponsorship, getting ready for our annual fundraiser, and just mentally resetting. I’m in a much better headspace this year, and that gives me the motivation to really push for next season.”

In addition to her time behind the wheel, Cappetta took on a new challenge in 2025 — helping to promote, which included focusing on two races specifically for the 358 division.

“It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it,” she said. “It really gives you a new appreciation for how much effort goes into putting these shows together. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year with the Weldon Sterner Memorial.”

Cappetta expressed deep gratitude for her supporters, crew, and sponsors who helped make the season possible.

“I can’t thank my sponsors enough, especially Gettysburg Trading Post — they’ve been with me for 14 years, and next year will mark our 15th season together,” she said. “The fans mean the world to me, too. Their support, whether it’s buying merchandise or cheering us on at the track, keeps me going.”

As the off-season begins, Cappetta is already preparing for her 14th Annual “Night at the Races” Fundraiser, set for February 14, 2026, at the Irishtown Fire Company.

Tickets will be $25 from November 1–30, and $30 starting December 1. The first 150 attendees through the door will receive a free event T-shirt. Tickets will be available through Cappetta beginning November 1.

“We’ve got a great support system around us right now,” Cappetta said. “I’m grateful for everyone who’s part of this team, and I’m already looking forward to what’s ahead in 2026.”

Ashley Cappetta has strung together another pair of solid finishes at Lincoln Speedway, adding to a season marked by consistency and determination. Cappetta recorded an eighth-place finish in the Kramer Klash and followed it up with a 10th-place run during the Labor Day Duels over the holiday weekend.

The Kramer Klash began with Cappetta starting mid-pack after a fourth-place finish in her heat. Despite a challenging heat race, she lined up 12th for the feature and drove to an eighth-place finish. “I wasn’t completely comfortable in the heat, but I knew we weren’t going to start worse than 12th,” Cappetta said. “In the feature, things worked out. A wreck happened in front of us, and if I had started farther up, I probably would’ve been caught in it. We were able to pick off some cars and come away with a top 10.”

During the Labor Day Duel on Sunday, Cappetta battled tricky track conditions. The track quickly took rubber, making passing opportunities scarce. After finishing third in her heat, she lined up seventh for the feature but slipped back to 10th. “It was one of those races where if you fell out of the groove just a little, you were going to get passed,” Cappetta explained. “We had some wheel spin early, but made adjustments. It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but with the conditions, we’ll take another top 10.”

The two finishes continue a strong stretch for Cappetta and her team, who have scored top-10 results in eight of 10 completed features this season. Only a camshaft failure and engine trouble at Port Royal have kept the team from finishing a race in 2025.

Off the track, Cappetta is celebrating a milestone in her racing career with the release of her first-ever diecast sprint car. Produced in partnership with Acme, the diecast marks Cappetta as one of only a few female sprint car drivers to have a model car made in her likeness.

“This is definitely a childhood dream come true,” Cappetta said. “I grew up playing with diecast cars and pretending to be my favorite drivers. To now have my own is surreal. It’s special for me, for my nieces, and for the young fans who will have another female driver to look up to in their collections. It’s also great exposure for my sponsors, as these cars are going to fans all over the country.”

Cappetta and her team will return to Lincoln Speedway next Saturday for the 22nd annual Weldon Sterner Memorial as they continue their push toward closing out the 2025 season strong.