FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East Berlin, PA – May 22, 2025
by Emily Winslow / Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Mgmt
Image Credit: Jeremy Zarfos / WRT Speedwerx
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.”
ABOUT ASHLEY CAPPETTA
Ashley Cappetta is a second-generation racer following her uncle’s footsteps. She started her racing career in 2012. It was her first year piloting her race car but certainly not her first exposure to the sport. She was introduced to racing by her father, who was Steve Smith’s crew chief. Her uncle, Rob Cappetta was also involved in the sport driving his own #89 sprint car and went on to be a gasman for Robert Yates Racing. Ashley is making her own way by being the first female in her family to set center stage as a driver. Ashley has had a couple of years of sprint car experience with various teams, starting out as a crew member doing such simple tasks as scrapping mud to advancing her skills into doing maintenance for her own race car. Ashley showing her success with not only her abilities working on her race car but also by winning a Hard Charger Award in only her first season racing. Ashley feels she has the best of both worlds by not only knowing how to race but by having the knowledge of the mechanics and being able to provide detailed feedback to her team. Her goal is to continue to grow as a racer and work her way up through the sprint car division.
Follow Ashley’s season:
Press Releases: A2DPR.com/latest-news
Facebook: Facebook.com/ACappettaRacing89
Twitter and Instagram: Twitter.com/A_Cappetta89
Website: AshleyCappettaRacing.com
THANKS TO OUR 2025 PARTNERS!
Gettysburg Trading Post
Mikes Towing & Recovery
JZ Construction
Snelbecker Electric
The Gun Center
Stoners Auction of Glen Rock
Yesteryear Antique Center
Jersey Mike’s Subs – Hanover PA location
Iron Horse Trains
FK Rod Ends
Hooker Harness
Brenneman Painting
DW Automotive
Schaeffer’s Oil — Doug Smith
CP Carrillo
Republican Club of Hanover
Victory Fuel
Deans Auto Plaza
The Racing Trading Post
Food Adventures
Fastener Specialties
Bam Lifters
Kinsler Fuel Injection
My Race Pass
3 Feathers Racing
K1 RaceGear
Chris’s Coins, Antiques & Collectibles
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsorship opportunities with Ashley Cappetta Racing are available for the 2025 season! Contact the team today at AshleyCappettaRacing89@gmail.com.
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- administrator on May 23, 2025
- Article Date: 5/22/2025 by Emily Winslow / Addicted2Dirt PR