Iconic Apple #12 Sprint Car Makes Historic Return to PA Tracks with Ashley Cappetta
Central Pennsylvania sprint car racing fans have a reason to celebrate as Ashley Cappetta unveils plans to run the iconic Apple #12 livery for the remainder of the 2025 season. This tribute to racing legend Greg Hodnett comes with full support from former Apple Motorsports owner Bob Stewart.
Red racecar with yellow racing numbers
What began as a one-off tribute has evolved into a season-long commitment after an emotional showing at the Weldon Sterner Memorial at Lincoln Speedway, where Cappetta finished fourth in the feature. The classic Apple #12 design will maintain its original elements - including the distinctive stripes, color scheme, smiley apple, and signature number - while incorporating current sponsor logos in non-intrusive locations.
For Cappetta, this tribute carries deep personal meaning. Her connection to the Apple #12 dates back to 2004 when she met Hodnett as a young fan. Her uncle Rob built motors for the original Apple #12 team, making this tribute a meaningful part of her racing journey. Sherry Hodnett has given her blessing to the project, seeing it as a way to honor Greg's legacy. The car will continue to display Greg Hodnett's name on the hood while carrying Cappetta's name for fan recognition.
The partnership marks Bob Stewart's return to a more prominent role in sprint car racing. Stewart, who previously owned the Apple #12 team and has sponsored Cappetta in the past, joins as a primary sponsor for this meaningful revival.
At the recent Weldon Sterner Memorial, Cappetta demonstrated the car's potential with a heat race win and fourth-place feature finish, working with a new crew chief. The event featured strong fan support and included a pre-race meet-and-greet, embodying the community spirit that defines Central Pennsylvania sprint car racing.
About Ashley Cappetta: A second-generation racer, Ashley Cappetta began her racing career in 2012, following family footsteps in motorsports. Her father was Steve Smith's crew chief, and her uncle Rob Cappetta drove the #89 sprint car before working with Robert Yates Racing. Ashley has distinguished herself as the first female driver in her family, combining mechanical expertise with racing talent.
The team plans to release merchandise featuring the Apple #12 tribute design later this season. For sponsorship opportunities, interested parties can contact [email protected].
Image Credit: Jeremy Zarfos / WRT Speedwerx