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Dillon Motor Speedway Chaplin Larry Capps Retires After 18 Memorable Seasons

by Hunter Thomas November 18, 2024 0 comments

DILLON, S.C. – After 18 seasons of impacting countless lives at Dillon Motor Speedway, Larry Capps has stepped away from serving as the track Chaplin.

Capps, who is just three weeks away from his 87^th birthday, has been a local celebrity at Dillon Motor Speedway since the track reopened in 2007. Everyone who has visited the 4/10^th mile asphalt oval on a regular basis knows Capps, and in an atmosphere that promotes family and competition, many have leaned on him in times of need, both on and off the track.

“Everybody is so friendly,” Capps said. “When I put in my last race, I told Ron (Barfield, track owner) three weeks before that it would be the last because I was not able to drive at night because of my eyesight and everything. I left, and everybody in that grandstand stopped and talked to me and hugged my neck and thanked me and everything.”

Throughout the years, Capps bonded with Barfield and his family, as well as with track staff, fans, drivers and crews. The tight knit family at Dillon Motor Speedway is incredibly strong, and when Capps needed help, the favor was quickly returned.

“I’m very thankful for Larry’s dedication to the Dillon Motor Speedway family,” Barfield said. “He has been with us since the beginning. His weekly presence will be deeply missed, but he knows that he’s always welcome to return. Larry has positively impacted so many lives throughout the 18 seasons he has been with us, and I just can’t thank him enough.”

On race days, he handed out a daily devotional in the form of a newsletter that shared the Word of God. When his wife, Betty Jo got sick and passed away, Capps continued to distribute the newsletter despite the weekends he was not feeling his best.

“The racing family, they’re closer than brothers and sisters, I think,” Capps said. “If you need help from one of these race car drivers or crew members, they’re going to stop what they are doing and help you if they can, and they’re going to be there at your side. All the fans supported me in my mission because I handed out that newsletter every week.”

Barfield said, “Larry’s weekly devotion has served as an integral part of the Dillon Motor Speedway experience. We’re a family-oriented racetrack. There were some weekends where we raced on Sundays, and Larry provided a church service in the grandstands for all in attendance. That effort meant a lot, and he did a great job at setting the stage for the remainder of the race day.”

Just like any sport, competitors do get hurt from time-to-time, and at Dillon Motor Speedway, drivers who crash must be checked out by paramedics on-site and then if they need further evaluation, Capps was the individual who accompanied the race car driver to McLeod Health Dillon. This time of uncertainty can be frightening for a driver and their family; however, many were at more peace knowing that Capps was there to pray and help guide them during the process.

“The one’s I went to the hospital with – some of them were not hurt, and some of them were hurt up pretty bad,” Capps said. “They sit there and talk to you, and you try to explain to them that everything is going to be alright and the doctor, they’re pretty sure everything is going to be alright, and you are going to be going home, and you might have a little bit of therapy at the end of the week.”

One of the greatest moments Capps can recall is when he preached to a traveling series that visited the track and one of the drivers got saved not long after. Capps was reminded that he may serve as the only Bible that people ever have a chance to read.

In addition to the positive impacts from the comradery at the track, Capps has always really enjoyed seeing the kids compete during intermissions. Dillon Motor Speedway is known for hosting bicycle races and an array of games that provide the opportunity for kids to win a trophy, candy and other prizes.

“I enjoyed the years I was there more than anything in the world because I knew where I was going on Saturday afternoon, and I knew it was going to be clean fun,” Capps said. “I tried my best to represent Christ the best I could to make sure they knew I was on the right page with them. It was a wonderful experience.”

Capps is extraordinarily thankful for the opportunity Barfield and his family provided. Capps grew up a race fan himself, pulling for the Ford drivers throughout the decades. Being a race fan and having the chance to make an impact on the community has meant everything to the Laurinburg, N.C. native.

“I’m just thankful that Ron and his momma and daddy said you can come and do all you can do,” Capps said. “We’ve had some good races.”

Photo Credit: Wayne Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com