Ron Capps, the defending Funny Car world champion, claimed his 75th career win on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway, solidifying his position as the new points leader in the 41st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series continued with Antron Brown securing victory in the Top Fuel category, while Dallas Glenn emerged as the winner in the Pro Stock class.

In the Final Round, Capps clocked a time of 3.887 seconds at 332.75 mph in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra, surpassing Robert Hight’s 3.900 at 324.90 mph. This marked Capps’ second win of the 2023 season and his seventh career win at Brainerd International Raceway, the second-most in NHRA history for the facility. 

Capps defeated Jim Campbell, Tim Wilkerson, and Bob Tasca III to reach the final round and secure his milestone victory. As the current points leader, Capps heads to Indy with a 21-point advantage.

“I’ve won with different crew chiefs here; there’s just something about this place,” Capps said. “We make a point of going out and celebrating with everybody in the Zoo, and we did that again last night. We’re taking the Wally out to the Zoo tonight. Everybody there helped us win, and they should get a picture. 

“We have all kinds of Funny Cars that have won multiple races this year, and here we are with the points lead. We had one win coming in here. That tells you the consistency. It grows my confidence, we grow each other’s confidence, and it’s just fun right now. We had a goal to get to Indy and win the regular season points. To have the points lead going into Indy, it’s just so cool.”

Hight reached his 99th career final round on Sunday by defeating Bobby Bode, Dave Richards, and teammate John Force.

Meanwhile, in the Top Fuel category, Brown enjoyed a dominant weekend, adding another triumph to his recent victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. Brown’s 3.715-second run at 326.08 mph in his Matco Tools/Toyota dragster secured his 73rd career win and his sixth win at Brainerd. He defeated Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, and Mike Salinas before besting Leah Pruett in the final round. This impressive double-up weekend propelled Brown to third place in the points standings as he aims for his fourth world title.

“Every lap we made, we were very competitive. We got in eliminations and knew it was going to be a very different day,” Brown said. “The conditions were going to be better, but that’s where Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald [co-crew chiefs] shine. The conditions change, they make an adjustment, and they know right where to put it. We started with a good lap, we were the quickest and fastest of the first session, and that set the tone for the day.

“Then you go in race mode where you have to race smart. They stayed in that zone, and the consistency paid off. That’s what it takes to win races and championships. I’ve always loved racing at this track. This race is the turning point that can really get you ready for the championship.”

Pruett reached the finals for the third time in 2023 and 22nd time overall by defeating Tony Schumacher, defending world champ Brittany Force and points leader Justin Ashley. In the points standings, Ashley’s lead now stands at 101 points over Torrence.

Dallas Glenn continued his dominant Pro Stock season, securing his fourth win of the year with a time of 6.566 seconds at 207.56 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Camaro. Notably, Glenn’s victory also marked his eighth career win and built a comfortable 284-point lead over Matt Hartford in the points standings. 

Glenn defeated Jerry Tucker, defending champion Erica Enders, and Aaron Stanfield on his way to the final round, where he triumphed over Kyle Koretsky in an all-KB Titan Racing showdown. 

“I feel like the car did most of the work today. It’s running so well,” Glenn said. “I was a little worried; it seems to be that the car works really good when it’s hot and humid out. It showed on Saturday when I picked up four bonus points in qualifying. But we went out there with the first run today, and I didn’t think it was that great of a run, but we were second of the session. We just went out there and made four really solid laps. It shook a little bit in the final. I think the track was just a little too good, and we needed to get after it a little more, but it made it through it.

“I know Kyle really, really wanted to win that one, especially here for Lucas Oil, but that’s one thing I love about KB Titan Racing, there are never any team orders. We put the absolute best tune-up in the car, and we let the drivers figure it out. When I won the semis, and it was an all-KBT final, that’s when the real emotion of winning comes out because no matter what, the trophy is coming home with us.”

Koretsky reached the finals for the first time in 2023 and the seventh time in his career, getting past Camrie Caruso, No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson, and Deric Kramer.

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action Aug. 30-Sept. 3 with the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.