Tag Archive for: #paposse

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.

Ashley Cappetta kicked off her 2025 358 Sprint Car season on Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway with a strong performance and a new crew chief in her corner. Cappetta’s solid showing was highlighted by a heat race win and valuable lessons learned for the season ahead.

Cappetta welcomed Dwayne Watson as her new crew chief for the 2025 season, a decision that’s already proving to be a game-changer. Watson stepped in to help during Cappetta’s final race last season, and the immediate improvements led her to bring him on board full-time.

“I honestly feel like that was the best decision we’ve made,” Cappetta said. “It’s nothing against my dad or the rest of the team — I just needed something different to get comfortable. Dwayne and Larry have already made me feel more confident in the direction we’re headed.”

Saturday night started off strong with a good pill draw, easing some of the early-season pressure. Cappetta made the most of her front-row starting spot in the heat race, getting a strong start and driving away with the win. “I can’t remember the last time the car felt that comfortable,” Cappetta shared.

Heading into the feature, Cappetta and her team made minimal adjustments, unsure how the track would hold up. After a rocky initial start, Cappetta nailed the second restart and was running strong until a string of cautions slowed her momentum. “Every caution actually hurt us on Saturday,” she explained. “The car got a little uncomfortable with about eight laps to go, but we’ve already figured out what changes we need to make to fix that.”

Cappetta also battled some physical challenges late in the race. “My neck got really stiff toward the end, so I was just holding on at that point,” she said. “I would’ve liked to see what would’ve happened without those cautions — I think we had a top-three car.”

Adding Watson to the team has already made a noticeable difference. “I don’t feel like I have to worry as much,” Cappetta said. “I give him feedback, and he understands it differently because he’s driven a sprint car. That’s huge. Plus, he just gelled right away with the rest of the team since he’s worked with them before. It’s taken a lot of stress off my shoulders.”

Saturday’s race saw plenty of action, with multiple cautions throughout the night. “Unfortunately, you kind of expect it with our class early in the season,” Cappetta noted. “There are a lot of new people out there. I just wish we could get through the first turn without so many cautions. But I’m glad nobody was seriously hurt.”

Cappetta and the team are already focused on the next race at Lincoln Speedway this coming Saturday. “We know what adjustments we need to make,” Cappetta said. “If we get another good start and the car feels like it did in the heat race, I think we’ll be in a good spot.”

Quick Results
• Date: 3/15/2025
• Event: Weekly Racing
• Track: Lincoln Speedway
• City, State: Abbottstown, PA
• Quick Stats: 24 cars, Heat 1st [1], A-main 6th [4]

Up Next
Cappetta will return to Lincoln Speedway on Saturday, March 22 at 6pm.

Season Stats
1 race, 0 wins, 0 top 5’s, 1 top 10’s, 0 top 15’s