NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

With Ron Capps’ recent hot streak that includes three wins, a runner-up finish, and three No. 1 starts in the last five events, the “is this his year” buzz is beginning to ramp up. Capps is one of the most visible “bridesmaids,” winning drivers without a championship, but he’s definitely not alone in that category. This week, we look at the five drivers with the most wins without a championship.

1. Ron Capps, 49 victories

Capps ranks second on the Funny Car all-time wins list with 48 victories, and he also has one Top Fuel Wally, making for a great overall resume for the likeable driver from California. One of the big glaring omissions on that resume? A world title. Capps has finished second four times during his career, including in 2012 when he finished a mere two points behind teammate Jack Beckman.

2. Doug Kalitta, 41 victories

When it comes to championships and close calls, Kalitta will likely be most remembered as the guy who was knocked out of the No. 1 spot by “the Run” in 2006. That second-place finish to Tony Schumacher was one of three runner-up placings for Kalitta in the points standings. His 41 wins have him tied with Antron Brown for fourth on the Top Fuel wins list.

3. Kurt Johnson, 40 victories

Johnson’s father, Warren, was able to earn six world championships, but the younger member of the Pro Stock-racing family just couldn’t quite break through and earn one of the big trophies of his own. Johnson made several strong runs for a championship, finishing second four times, and he tallied 40 wins, which ranks him in the top 10 on Pro Stock’s all-time list.

4. Cory McClenathan, 34 victories

Like Capps and Johnson, McClenathan finished second in the standings four times during his Top Fuel career, the most memorable of which is 1992 when he finished less than 100 points behind Joe Amato after skipping the Montreal event. Under the points system at that time, McClenathan would have earned 100 points for showing up and making a pass at that event. Though he didn’t collect a championship trophy, McClenathan did earn 34 race Wallys, which places him eighth all-time in Top Fuel.

5. Dave Connolly, 26 victories

Though his best (and only) points finish in Top Fuel was 10th last year, Connolly finished as high as third in Pro Stock, finishing in that spot four times. All 26 of Connolly’s victories have come in Pro Stock, and the total ties him with Allen Johnson and Lee Shepherd for ninth on the class’ wins list.