Manufacturer deal gives Funny Car champ Capps chance to bend the ears of some new stablemates for advice.

ron capps: move to toyota supra means new nhra teammates, a little sharing
JERRY FOSS NHRA/NATIONAL DRAGSTER

We were chomping at the bit to announce our deal with Toyota.

It was very exciting, knowing that they had the new body in the works. But to finally get it out and debut the Supra at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte a few weeks ago, that was huge for us in a lot of different ways.

I bragged about a big part of this whole new venture of owning my own team was having a manufacturer that wanted to be all-in as a partner and teammate. You have to remember for the last 17 years, I drove for a team and team owner Don Schumacher where most of the time I had several teammates right in our camp, in fact right next door.

So, as a new team owner/driver with a one-car team, I haven’t really had a teammate per se this year, although we are pitted in the same spot next to DSR. But up until our Toyota announcement at Charlotte, I haven’t had that same feeling like I’ve got teammates. At DSR over the past decade, there were times when we had four Funny Cars running out of our camp, so I had three teammates that I had to battle every week and also for a championship. And so the cool thing about finally getting the word out at Charlotte about the Toyota Supra was gaining new teammates at Toyota that I now have, especially in Funny Car.

ron capps: move to toyota supra means new nhra teammates, a little sharing

Alexis DeJoria helped welcome Ron Capps into the Toyota stable.

MARC GEWERTZ

Obviously, I’ve got a great running car in the Supra, but the cool thing was the help we got from JR Todd’s Toyota team—I’ve always been really close with that team, their crew chiefs. Then there’s the other Toyota Funny Car driver, Alexis DeJoria. Del Worsham runs that team and I’ve been really close with Alexis and Del. Crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Nicky Boninfante were huge in us unloading the car, too.

You have to remember, I had never even sat in the Supra before, and here we are debuting it at a huge media event on Thursday of the Charlotte race. I had never even sat in this car. Our crew chiefs had never run this car down the track, and then we put the Supra body on it and went 3.87 seconds, over 330 mph, the very first run. I can’t tell you how hard that is to do. They made it look easy.

The input we’ve had from our new teammates and Slugger Labbe and the all the people at Toyota was huge, and not just for me as a driver. I did talk to JR and Alexis, as the new car is different to see out of than what I’m used to.

The cool part was seeing the input from Del Worsham and the DHL team in making us feel at ease in taking the car out for the very first run, knowing that all eyes were on us. We had a great car already, but now Supra is on the car and we certainly didn’t want to disappoint. So that was immense pressure I felt. Our crew chief Guido Antonelli said he didn’t feel the pressure, but I think he was lying a little bit.

ron capps: move to toyota supra means new nhra teammates, a little sharing

JR Todd and crew proved to be a big help to Ron Capps and company when it came time for Capps to roll out his Toyota Supra.

Richard H Shute

Sharing Only Goes So Far

When it comes to sharing information with teammates and other teams, even if they’re from the same manufacturer, you have to remember that we also have to race these other teams.

It’s very difficult for a crew chief to sometimes share information with a rival crew chief. Drivers, we we can go up and do our thing. If somebody came to me for advice or if I went to another driver with a question, they’re going to offer it up—even though you’re kind of gritting your teeth because you have to race this person and your livelihood is on the line.

It’s even even more difficult mechanically for a crew chief. Yes you want to help—or maybe some don’t want to help. That certainly happens. But it was a big deal for Del Worsham and Jon Oberhofer from both those Toyota teams to offer up a calming affect to our guys Guido and John Medlen before those very first runs.

This Supra is just so different from anything we’ve seen. There hasn’t been a change to the style of the Funny Car in many, many years. And so that was a big deal for the other teams to offer a little help—even though we have to race them. It’s hard for a crew chief to do that, I don’t care what they say. On Sunday, they’ve got to bite the bullet. I can understand their position. They’ve been massaging and working with this body all season to make it what it is, and then all of the sudden here comes the new team.

Teammates in racing can be a very strange relationship. It’s kind of like a brotherly thing. Yes, you want to outdo your brother, you want to make your dad proud. So you can understand that it’s a very tough thing to do—to share information and enjoy being teammates. But at the same time, you have go up to the starting line and you’ve got to do whatever you have to do to beat them.

And sometimes you don’t get along with teammates—you hear about that in all forms of motorsport or in any sport, for that matter. You’ve got football teams with two wide receivers. Well, they can act like they’re getting along great, but I guarantee that one wants to outdo the other one every game. You can say what you want. It’s friendly, It’s a rivalry, whatever.

The cool thing is that I’ve gained two teammates that I’ve already gotten along great with. Alexis Dejoia and JR—these are people I would hang out with away from the racetrack.

Now that we’re teammates and the Toyota news is out, it’s really cool to be able to finally go back to hanging out with teammates again.

Keyword: Ron Capps: Move to Toyota Supra Means New NHRA Teammates, a Little Sharing

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Here’s Everything You Get In The Base 2024 Toyota Tacoma

The steel wheels say “work truck,” but adaptive cruise and push-button start were the stuff of luxury cars only a few years ago.

View more: Here’s Everything You Get In The Base 2024 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota to sell massive $4.7B stake in top supplier as it looks to catch up in EV race

Toyota is securing substantial funding as it looks to catch up in the EV race. Sources close to the matter say Toyota and its affiliates will sell a stake of around $4.7B in Denso, the second-largest global auto supplier. Toyota plans to sell around 10% (roughly $4.7 billion) of ...

View more: Toyota to sell massive $4.7B stake in top supplier as it looks to catch up in EV race

The Crown Signia Is A Wagon Regardless Of What Toyota Says

Image: Toyota American car buyers, for the most part, are not fans of wagons. The long roof body style has almost disappeared from the U.S. car market with only a few models remaining. There is the ever-popular Subaru Outback, and some more expensive options from Audi, Mercedes, and Volvo. ...

View more: The Crown Signia Is A Wagon Regardless Of What Toyota Says

Five most affordable automatic cars in South Africa

Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL Auto – R188,900 Renault Kwid 1.0 Zen Auto – R212,999 Proton Saga 1.3 Standard Auto – R224,900 Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL Auto – R225,900 Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR Auto – R239,900 When it comes to city driving, an automatic gearbox is one of the best ...

View more: Five most affordable automatic cars in South Africa

2024 Toyota Tacoma First Drive: A Sure Bet Remains So

•    Auto123 gets in a first drive of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Toronto, ON – This past May, Toyota unveiled the new generation of its Tacoma pickup truck. That happened in Hawaii, an exotic locale to be sure, but it happens to be where the model has been the best-selling ...

View more: 2024 Toyota Tacoma First Drive: A Sure Bet Remains So

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Starts At $32,995

It’s still one of the most affordable trucks in the segment.

View more: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Starts At $32,995

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Adds Some Polish But Keeps The Fun

Thanks to a torquey, 270-hp four-cylinder and an available six-speed manual, the new Taco is a charmer.

View more: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Adds Some Polish But Keeps The Fun

Toyota Selling Shorty Land Cruiser 70 For $46,000 But There’s A Catch

The Land Cruiser 70 Series will turn 40 next year but it's still going strong.

View more: Toyota Selling Shorty Land Cruiser 70 For $46,000 But There’s A Catch

Exclusive: Toyota group companies plan $4.7 billion sale of Denso stake

2024 Toyota Camry NASCAR Cup Series Contender Gets The Road Car's New Looks

The Only New Toyota Camry That Won't Be A Hybrid Is Racing In NASCAR

New Toyota Hilux Champ – Engines and interior revealed

You Can Buy Toyota's Tiny $13,000 Work Truck But Not In The US

Kia Sonet Vs Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison

The Toyota Corolla GR Sport - Unassuming, Uncompromising Thrills

Affordable hatchbacks with the best warranties in South Africa

Next-gen Ford Mustang – The competitors at R1.5 million

5 car brands South Africa’s middle class loves

Toyota and Solid-State Batteries for EVs: Patience Is In Order

Toyota is still greenwashing after change in leadership

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel