NHRA drag racers Ron Capps and Maddi Gordon
About this episode
Ron Capps and Maddi Gordon share insights into their journey in NHRA drag racing, discussing the challenges and triumphs of team ownership and competition. Capps reflects on his decision to expand his team by bringing in Gordon, who recently made history as the 100th woman to win in NHRA. The conversation dives into their backgrounds, with Gordon recounting her early start in racing and the family dynamics that shaped her career. The episode also touches on the camaraderie and mentorship within the racing community, highlighting the excitement of the sport.
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Top Fuel
"...And, and Maddie, you're going to run Top Fuel? Yes. Yep. Top Fuel Dragster. Bill, would you ever get into a Top Fuel car?"
Top Fuel is a type of drag racing with very fast cars that can go from zero to incredibly fast in just a few seconds. They use powerful engines that make a lot of horsepower, which is a measure of how strong the engine is.
Top Fuel is a category of drag racing that features the fastest accelerating cars in the world, powered by supercharged engines that can exceed 11,000 horsepower. These cars can complete a quarter-mile in under four seconds, making them a thrilling spectacle in motorsports.
autocross
"Driving the autocross at the good guys in Del Mar with, with Posey screaming at her."
Autocross is a type of car racing where you drive through a course set up with cones. It's all about how fast you can go while making tight turns, and you usually race one car at a time.
Autocross is a timed competition where drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course marked by cones. It's a popular motorsport that emphasizes precision and handling rather than speed on a track.
Ford F-250
"...she has like a F 250 at the time. And it was, it was, it was there."
The Ford F-250 is a strong truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work or towing trailers.
The Ford F-250 is a heavy-duty pickup truck known for its towing capacity and ruggedness, making it popular for both work and personal use.
junior dragsters
"...I started driving at eight years old, drove junior dragsters, drove those for 10 years. Also drove what we call a junior comp car, which is a little bit of a bigger dragster,..."
Junior dragsters are mini racing cars for kids. They help young drivers learn how to race safely and have fun at the same time.
Junior dragsters are small, scaled-down versions of drag racing cars designed for young drivers, typically aged 8 to 17. They allow kids to experience the thrill of drag racing in a safe and controlled environment.
junior comp car
"...Also drove what we call a junior comp car, which is a little bit of a bigger dragster,..."
A junior comp car is a bigger and faster racing car for kids who have more experience. It's still smaller than regular race cars but allows for more speed.
A junior comp car is a larger version of a junior dragster, designed for slightly older or more experienced young drivers. These cars are still scaled down but offer more power and speed compared to junior dragsters.
Suzuki Hayabusa
"but has a Hayabusa engine in it and drove those about. Yeah. Those are really cool."
The Suzuki Hayabusa is a very fast motorcycle that many people love to race. It's known for its powerful engine and speed, making it popular among motorcycle enthusiasts.
The Suzuki Hayabusa is a high-performance motorcycle known for its speed and powerful engine, often modified for racing applications. It has a reputation for being one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world.
super comp cars
"And then we started driving super comp cars, which is a longer dragster. And we went about 180 miles an hour to the quarter mile."
Super comp cars are special race cars built for drag racing. They are very fast and can go a long distance in just a few seconds. People race them to see who can finish the track the quickest.
Super comp cars are a category of drag racing vehicles designed for high-speed performance, typically featuring lightweight construction and powerful engines. They compete in a specific class within the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and are known for their ability to cover a quarter-mile distance in very short times, often exceeding speeds of 180 miles per hour.
funny car
"And then started driving the funny car, which was such a, such a dream of mine since as long as I can remember."
Funny cars are a kind of race car used in drag racing. They have a funny shape and can go really fast, often over 300 miles per hour. The top of the car flips open so the driver can get in and out easily.
Funny cars are a type of drag racing vehicle that features a modified body and a powerful engine, often using nitromethane as fuel. They are known for their unique design, which includes a flip-top body that opens for driver access, and they can reach speeds over 300 miles per hour in just a few seconds.
Paul Newman
"But Paul Newman was a race car driver as well. And there was a young driver that would like sneak through the fence and watch the races..."
Paul Newman was a well-known actor who also loved racing cars. He drove in many races and was respected in the racing community.
Paul Newman was not only a famous actor but also a successful race car driver, known for his passion for motorsports and his involvement in various racing events, including sports car racing and endurance racing.
Willie T. Ribs
"And it was Willie T. Ribs, who I love Willie."
Willie T. Ribs is a famous race car driver who made history as one of the first African Americans to compete in major racing events. He is well-respected in the racing world.
Willie T. Ribs is an accomplished African American race car driver known for breaking barriers in motorsports and competing in various racing series, including IndyCar and sports car racing.
Indy 500
"...he was the first black driver to qualify for the Indy 500."
The Indy 500 is a famous car race that happens every year in Indianapolis. It's known for being one of the biggest and most important races in the world.
The Indy 500, officially known as the Indianapolis 500, is one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world, held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is part of the IndyCar Series and features open-wheel cars racing over 500 miles.
IndyCar
"So, you know, today's world, you go f1, you go NASCAR, IndyCar, all of them."
IndyCar is a form of car racing where the cars have open wheels and can reach very high speeds. They race on different types of tracks, including famous events like the Indianapolis 500.
IndyCar is a type of open-wheel racing series in the United States, known for its high-speed races on both oval and road courses. The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most famous races in this series, showcasing advanced technology and engineering in race cars.
F1
"So, you know, today's world, you go f1, you go NASCAR, IndyCar, all of them."
F1 stands for Formula 1, which is a top-level car racing series where teams compete in very fast cars on different tracks around the world. It's known for its exciting races and high-tech vehicles.
Formula 1, or F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, known for its advanced technology, high speeds, and prestigious races around the world, including the Monaco Grand Prix. It features teams that invest heavily in research and development.
NASCAR
"So, you know, today's world, you go f1, you go NASCAR, IndyCar, all of them."
NASCAR is a type of car racing that takes place on circular tracks. It's very popular in the U.S. and involves cars that look like regular cars but are specially built for racing.
NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is a popular motorsport organization in the United States, known for its stock car racing events. It features a series of races on oval tracks and is famous for its high-speed competition and fan engagement.
drag racing
"And now drag racing, you get a million and a half, two million to bring to a seat."
Drag racing is a fast-paced type of car racing where two cars race side by side on a straight track to see who can go the fastest in a short distance. It's all about quick speed and acceleration.
Drag racing is a type of motor racing where two vehicles compete to see which can cover a straight distance, typically a quarter-mile, in the shortest time. It emphasizes acceleration and speed, often featuring highly modified cars.
safety in racing
"There's a lot of like, hey, how do we get together and make the car safer? How do we do this together?"
Safety in racing means making sure that everyone involved, like drivers and fans, is protected from accidents. This includes wearing special gear and having safe cars and tracks.
Safety in racing refers to the measures and protocols put in place to protect drivers, crew, and spectators during motorsport events. This includes the use of safety gear, vehicle modifications, and track safety features.
sponsorship in racing
"And there are some teams that are fortunate enough to go, listen, I own a big company and I can use that company to sponsor my team."
Sponsorship in racing is when companies pay money to help racing teams. In return, they get to show their brand on the cars and uniforms, which helps them get more attention.
Sponsorship in racing involves companies providing financial support to racing teams in exchange for advertising and promotional opportunities. This can help teams cover costs and improve their competitive edge.
Top Dragster
"...my sister drives Top Dragster and Supercomp."
Top Dragster is a type of race car used in drag racing. These cars are made to go really fast in a straight line, usually in a quarter-mile race.
Top Dragster is a category in drag racing that features high-performance vehicles designed for straight-line speed. These cars are built to achieve the fastest possible quarter-mile times and often utilize powerful engines and advanced aerodynamics.
Cobra
"...I can't even change the ring and pinion out on my Cobra. Yeah, we were trying to get Bill to dial in the car about my Cobra."
The Cobra is a special version of the Ford Mustang that is designed for speed and performance. It's known for being powerful and fun to drive.
The Ford Cobra is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang, known for its powerful engines and sporty design. It has become a popular model among car enthusiasts for its performance capabilities.
ring and pinion
"...I can't even change the ring and pinion out on my Cobra. Yeah, we were trying to get Bill to dial in the car about my Cobra."
The ring and pinion are parts inside the car that help turn the wheels. They are important for how fast the car can go and how quickly it can speed up.
The ring and pinion are gears located in the differential of a vehicle, responsible for transferring power from the driveshaft to the wheels. They play a crucial role in determining the vehicle's acceleration and top speed.
blower
"...we got to take the blower off. Like those are hundreds of pounds..."
A blower is a part that helps an engine get more air, which can make it more powerful. It's often used in racing cars to boost performance.
A blower, often referring to a supercharger, is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing for more fuel to be burned and thus increasing power output. This is particularly common in performance and racing applications.
clutch weight
"...if taking a little bit of clutch weight or like she said, leaning or rich in the motor at a certain spot would increase those implementals..."
Clutch weight is how heavy or light the pedal feels when you press it to change gears. Changing this can make driving easier or harder, depending on what you like.
Clutch weight refers to the amount of force required to engage or disengage the clutch in a vehicle. Adjusting the clutch weight can affect how the car feels during gear changes, impacting performance and driver comfort.
torque
"...you think it felt like it was on the weak side of the engine or it needs a little more torque..."
Torque is how strong the engine is when it turns. More torque means the car can speed up faster or pull heavier things more easily.
Torque is a measure of rotational force in an engine, which directly affects a vehicle's acceleration and pulling power. More torque generally means better performance, especially in low-speed situations.
crankshaft
"Some of these drivers, they don't know which way the crankshaft turns. Oh, and they're not driving the car, right?"
The crankshaft is a part of the engine that helps turn the power from the engine into movement. Knowing which way it turns is important for how the engine works.
The crankshaft is a crucial component in an engine that converts the linear motion of the pistons into rotational motion, which ultimately powers the vehicle. Understanding its direction of rotation is important for engine assembly and operation.
burnout
"what happened to the days of the big smoky burnouts that are half the length of the, of the course and everything?"
A burnout is when a car's tires spin while the car is not moving, making smoke. It's done to make the tires stick better when the car starts moving fast.
A burnout is a driving maneuver where the driver spins the wheels of the car while the vehicle is stationary, causing the tires to heat up and produce smoke. This is often done for show or to prepare the tires for better traction during a race.
NHRA
"NHRA is listening to this going, hmm. Yeah."
NHRA stands for National Hot Rod Association, which is the main organization for drag racing in the U.S. They organize races and set rules for the sport.
The NHRA, or National Hot Rod Association, is the largest governing body for drag racing in the United States. It organizes events and competitions, promoting the sport and ensuring safety standards.
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