Cappetta Opens 2026 Season with Strong Runner-Up Finish at Lincoln Speedway

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.