Antron Brown dreamed of driving one of the world’s most iconic racecars, but never truly believed that one day he would, let alone win three world championships.
His vibrant personality, perseverance, intelligence, athleticism, and deeply held religious convictions helped plot the course to getting a job driving in NHRA drag racing’s ultimate category of Top Fuel in 2008. And just four years later, the New Jersey native was crowned the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel world champion along with his Matco Tools teammates while driving for Don Schumacher Racing (DSR).
Achieving that championship milestone enabled Brown to become the first Black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing season championship. That accomplishment, coupled with his commitment to helping young Americans, earned him two prestigious honors in 2013.
In January 2012, he was selected to NBC’s 2013 edition of ‘theGrio’s 100’ list that features Black industry, sports and community leaders. He was featured on a segment of NBC’s Today show to help celebrate Black History Month. Eight months later, he was at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City along with Terry Bradshaw, James Worthy, Dave Winfield, Nick Faldo, Shawn Johnson and other renowned athletes at the 28th annual Great Sports Legends Dinner to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
“I never sat back and thought about it, but if I can be an inspiration for kids out there – not just African-Americans, just Americans period – and give them somebody they can look up to that’s positive who actually never settled in life for things that people told them they may not ever achieve then it makes this accomplishment even more special.
Ron Capps, a native Californian, who lives near San Diego, was going to drag races before he was born.
In 1996, his talent caught the eye of Hall of Famer Don ‘Snake’ Prudhomme, who hired Capps to wheel a Funny Car full-time the following year. With Prudhomme, Capps won 13 event titles.
In 2005, Capps moved from Prudhomme’s team to Don Schumacher Racing (DSR). For Capps’ first three years with DSR, his Funny Car was sponsored by popular cologne Brut, and in 2008 was replaced by another iconic and nationally known corporation, NAPA Auto Parts. Capps raced for DSR from 2005 through the completion of the 2021 season.
Shortly after clinching the 2021 Camping World Series Funny Car championship, Capps announced that after 17 years of racing for DSR that that he would be departing his longtime racing home to launch a new team, Ron Capps Motorsports (RCM).
The team made its on-track debut in 2022 with Capps taking on the dual responsibilities of owner-driver. NAPA signed-on to join Capps in his new endeavor, backing the popular Funny Car star for the 15th consecutive year in 2022 and his entire championship-winning team followed suit, remaining intact as they pursued back-to-back series titles.
Capps and his RCM team wasted no time putting together an impressive championship defense campaign as they made a run for the 2022 title. The NAPA team launched with a statement-making debut when they raced to a runner-up finish from the pole position at the 2022 season-opening NHRA Winternationals in February. While they came up just short of capturing the victory, Capps and his NAPA team didn’t have to wait long before finding the winner’s circle.
Drag racing is Capps’ passion and vocation, but he’ll race anything from Sprint cars on dirt to go-karts. When he can’t get to a track, he satiates his need for speed wit
Tune in live each week at 8am MST on Wednesdays (re-air at 6pm MST on Fridays) on AM 1220 KLDC for new interviews with amazing guests from across the country as they share their unique stories because…….EVERYONE has a story!
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