Archive for category: Sprint Cars

Ashley Cappetta continued her strong 2025 campaign with a resilient eighth-place finish at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night, overcoming an early misstep in the heat race to charge forward in the feature.

The night started with a favorable pill draw, setting Cappetta up with a solid opportunity in her heat race. However, a misjudgment at the chalk line during the initial start led to a loss of momentum that dropped her to fourth in the running order. “I just made a dumb mistake,” Cappetta admitted. “I misjudged the chalk line and second-guessed myself. Looking back, I probably should’ve just gone for it.”

Despite the early frustration, the setback provided an unexpected advantage. The team made strategic adjustments to the car ahead of the feature—changes they may not have considered had they started further up the grid. “That mistake ended up pushing me to agree to try something new with the car setup, and it really worked out for us,” Cappetta explained.

Starting deeper in the field, Cappetta quickly moved forward in the feature, making key passes and battling within the top 10. A red flag at lap 10 allowed for additional adjustments during the open red. “We needed a tire pressure adjustment, and that break gave us the chance to make it,” she said.

Cappetta crossed the line in eighth, adding another consistent finish to her season resume. “We’ve been working so well as a team, and even though we’re only five races in together, it feels like we’re really finding our rhythm,” she shared.

Currently sitting second in Lincoln Speedway’s season point standings, Cappetta recognizes the challenge that comes with consistent finishes. “It’s a blessing and a curse,” she laughed. “It’s great to be up there in points, but it means starting even further back each week. Still, I’m proud of our consistency.”

With a weekend off ahead, the team is using the time to finalize their second car and prepare for a special night on June 21—the Steve Smith Tribute Race. “That race means a lot to us,” Cappetta said. “My dad has history with Steve and the Smith family, so if we could get the job done that night, it would be incredibly special.”

Looking ahead, Cappetta and her team are focused on maintaining momentum, continuing to test and improve, and—ultimately—getting to victory lane. “We’re not getting complacent. I want to get a win under our belt and just keep building from there.”

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.”