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Ashley Cappetta’s race night at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday was full of emotion, challenges, and ultimately, another top 10 finish in 358 sprint car competition—her fifth in six starts this season.

Things started off on a superstitious note when Cappetta and her crew member received wristbands numbered 43-19 and 1-19, respectively—a combination of numbers with strong sentimental ties. “With Steve’s number being 19 and 43 being someone very special to me, it felt like a good sign,” said Cappetta. “Then we pulled pill number 19—it just felt like something good was in the air.”

The team tried a new setup during warm-ups that showed early promise. However, changing track conditions by the heat race made the car difficult to handle. “It was probably the most uncomfortable I’ve felt all year,” Cappetta admitted. “It was standing up on the right rear, really bad off the corners. I couldn’t drive it the way I needed to.” A racing incident with Chad Criswell added to the frustration, but Cappetta emphasized her commitment to clean racing and apologized to Criswell and his team.

Despite the challenges, Cappetta’s consistency paid off, as she held onto an invert spot for the feature. After a team discussion, the decision was made to revert to a more familiar and proven setup for the main event. “I knew it wasn’t the night for trial and error,” she explained. “We’ve been consistent all year, and I didn’t want to jeopardize that.”

That decision paid off, as Cappetta climbed into the top five during the A-Main, running as high as fifth before a late-race caution allowed another driver to capitalize. She ultimately finished sixth—another solid result for the team, which is still in its first season together. “It was a good rebound. I got my confidence back during the feature,” she said.

The team will continue working to improve, including a private midweek test session at BAPS Motor Speedway. “Even though it’s not Lincoln, any seat time is valuable,” Cappetta noted. “We’ve been putting in the hours, talking through everything, watching film—this season already feels different in the best way.”

The team’s efforts have put Cappetta atop the Lincoln Speedway point standings—by a slim five-point margin. “It’s early, and I’m not focused on winning a championship just yet. I want to win races. But even leading for one week shows we’re doing something right.”

Cappetta Reflects on PA Speedweek Kickoff Event

Cappetta also participated in the PA Speedweek Kickoff event on Sunday, an experience she found both meaningful and necessary. “I thought it was a great event,” she shared. “It’s so important to bring fans—especially young kids—closer to the sport. They’re the future.”

Ashley emphasized how these events foster connection and community among drivers and fans. “We don’t always get to talk at the track. Sunday gave us that chance,” she said. “Selling merchandise is also a big help. It’s not just fan gear—it’s like a mini sponsorship. Every little bit helps.”

With momentum on her side and a dedicated team behind her, Cappetta remains focused and optimistic. “We’re still learning, but we’re heading in the right direction. We’re not just showing up—we’re showing up to compete.”

Ashley Cappetta put together another strong run on Saturday, May 17, at Lincoln Speedway, earning a top-five finish while piloting the iconic Apple #12 with a special wing dedicated to fallen firefighters.

The event paid tribute to fallen first responders Jerome Guise and Brandon Little, as well as others who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Cappetta, who has deep personal ties to the firefighting community, shared what the evening meant to her.

“I never met Jerome or Brandon, but I know what it means to put your life on the line,” said Cappetta, a former volunteer firefighter. “It was an honor to run this car for them. I always want to do the best I can, not just for their families, but for every hero we’ve lost, and I wanted to make sure I did my part.”

Before the night’s racing program, Cappetta joined fans for the Livingston Lawn Care Party, where she had a chance to connect with new fans and see familiar faces.

On the track, Cappetta made the most of her fifth-place starting spot in the heat race after another competitor dropped out due to mechanical issues. She advanced to third quickly and held her position to earn a solid finish that set her up for a favorable starting spot in the feature.

Despite sustaining damage to the left front and discovering a bent W-link after the race, Cappetta fought through the adversity to bring home another top-five finish in the feature.

“The car felt a little off, but when I moved the wing back, it helped a lot,” Cappetta explained. “We didn’t realize the W-link was bent until we washed the car, so I’m proud of the result considering the circumstances. My crew has been working incredibly hard, and we’re all learning and improving each week.”

Much of Cappetta’s confidence this season stems from a revitalized team dynamic, including a new crew chief who brings both mechanical knowledge and driving experience to the table.

“Having someone who understands how the car feels from a driver’s perspective makes such a difference,” she said. “The communication has been great—we’re constantly reviewing video, breaking things down, and having real conversations about what to try next.”

That growing confidence has Cappetta eyeing additional races beyond Lincoln Speedway. With her second car nearly ready and her schedule opening up following softball coaching duties, she’s targeting potential appearances at Port Royal on July 19 and possibly a trip to Williams Grove.

“We’ve been gelling more each week, and once we have that second car ready, we’ll be able to move around a bit more,” she added. “We’ll probably shake it down with a test session first, just to make sure everything is right.”

For now, Cappetta is focused on staying consistent and continuing to build momentum in the Apple #12—a car that carries special meaning for her.

“Running this scheme permanently is a dream come true. I looked up to Greg [Hodnett] so much, and I know how legendary that 12 car is. I’m not trying to live up to anything—I just want to keep improving and represent it well.”

Looking ahead, Cappetta has her sights set on the Steve Smith Tribute Race on May 31 at Lincoln—a night that holds deep personal significance. Her father was a longtime mechanic for the late Steve Smith Sr., and the Smith family continues to support Cappetta’s team.

“Winning that race would be huge—not just for me, but for my dad and the whole Smith family. Steve didn’t like the spotlight, but he was a hell of a wheelman, and it’s going to be special to honor him in that way.”

Fans can also look forward to new Apple #12 merchandise rolling out soon, and Cappetta expressed heartfelt thanks to those who continue to support her both at the track and through merchandise sales.

“People don’t always realize how much that support helps us keep going,” Cappetta said. “If you can’t sponsor a car, buying a t-shirt is just as appreciated in my book.”

In an announcement that’s sure to strike a chord with Central Pennsylvania race fans, Ashley Cappetta is set to carry one of the most iconic looks in Central PA racing history through the remainder of the 2025 season. Cappetta will pilot a throwback version of the famed Apple #12 in the 358 sprint car division, paying tribute to her racing hero Greg Hodnett, with support from longtime Central PA sprint car owner and sponsor Bob Stewart.

Originally built to pace the field at the Greg Hodnett Classic at Port Royal Speedway, the Apple #12 tribute car was only intended to make a one-off appearance. The striking red-and-white machine — complete with the smiley apple and Apple Chevrolet branding — captured the attention and emotions of fans and the racing community alike. That reaction, coupled with encouragement from Stewart and others close to Hodnett’s legacy, has brought the car back in full force for 2025.

“What started out as just a tribute has grown into something really special,” said Cappetta. “The plan was to honor Greg at Port Royal and then again at Lincoln for the Weldon Sterner Memorial, and that would be it. But the fan interaction, Bob’s interest, and the emotion tied to seeing that car on track again — it was too meaningful to stop there.”

Cappetta recently raced the car at the rescheduled 2024 Sterner Memorial at Lincoln Speedway, where she finished fourth in the feature. “It felt like fate,” she shared. “My crew drew the 12 pill, Bob was there, I won my heat, and I just kept thinking — maybe this isn’t done yet.”

Following a Sunday conversation with Stewart, the two agreed to keep the Apple #12 on track for the rest of the season — with its classic look preserved and Cappetta’s sponsors integrated into the design. The original Apple car’s stripes, color scheme, smiley apple, and signature #12 will all remain, while new logos will be added in non-disruptive locations.

“It’s a car that means everything to me,” Cappetta said. “Greg Hodnett wasn’t just a driver I admired — he’s the reason I fell in love with racing. I met him as a kid in 2004 when he was driving this car, and my uncle Rob, who introduced me to sprint cars, built the motors for the 12 back then. This is part of my story.”

Cappetta reached out to Sherry Hodnett before moving forward with the full-season plans. “Sherry has always known how much Greg meant to me, and she was genuinely happy about it. I think we both feel like this is a way to keep his legacy alive.”

Although the car will proudly carry Cappetta’s name on it for fans’ recognition, the hood will continue to list Greg Hodnett as the driver — a subtle but powerful symbol of the legacy that continues to inspire her every lap.

This partnership also marks the return of Bob Stewart to a more prominent presence in the sport. Stewart, who previously owned the Apple 12 team, and has sponsored Ashley previously in her career, steps back in as a primary sponsor for Cappetta in this emotional and respectful revival.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Cappetta admitted. “This was just going to be a tribute. But now here we are — and I’m honored, overwhelmed, and ready to make the most of this opportunity. I know I can never be Greg, and Bob doesn’t expect me to be — but I want to make him, Greg, my crew, and all my sponsors proud.”

Plans are already in the works for new merchandise featuring the Apple #12 tribute design, with shirts expected later this season.

Weldon Sterner Memorial Recap: A Special Night in the Apple 12

Last Saturday’s Weldon Sterner Memorial was an emotional and meaningful night for Ashley Cappetta, both on and off the track. While a trip to victory lane would have been the icing on the cake, Ashley walked away with a strong fourth-place finish in just her third outing with a new crew chief. She also picked up a heat race win, earning a $100 bonus and a gallon of cider from Mickley’s Orchard & Farm.

The event held special significance as Ashley piloted the iconic Apple Motorsports No. 12—a car deeply tied to her childhood and her favorite driver, Greg Hodnett. “That car wasn’t just any car to me,” she said. “It was a part of my childhood, my inspiration.” The moment was made even more special with longtime Apple 12 car owner Bob Stewart in attendance, marking one of his first trips to the track in years—just to see the 12 car on the track again. “He told me after I took the lead in the heat, he started to tear up,” Ashley said. “That meant the world.”

Ashley praised the fan support and the atmosphere around the event, which included a fan zone meet-and-greet before the races. “That’s what I loved as a kid—meeting drivers—and it’s important to give that opportunity to the next generation of fans,” she said. With Lincoln Speedway staff helping behind the scenes, Ashley was able to focus on giving feedback to her new crew, something she’s been prioritizing this year.

Despite a few early challenges in the feature, she battled back from sixth to finish fourth. “The car kept getting better,” Ashley said. “I think that last caution hurt our momentum, but I’m still proud of how we performed.” Preparation at the shop has stepped up this year, including focusing on consistent maintenance—changes she feels are already paying off.