  
NASCAR’s Michael Waltrip and NHRA’s Ron Capps share sponsors and TV time on and off racetracks and drag strips.
When a video script takes life much work has been done before the first camera spins. Yet, a stage setting can produce more than a story board or sequence plan because of the actors. It’s a process and whether the script is a movie, documentary or commercial, the words -- action! , roll’em!, cut! -- come to the minds of many of us not even associated with the film industry. Whatever the result, that process always seems to intrigue us.
When Waltrip and Capps get together usually a funny script awaits their video taping for TV. Their interaction looks spontaneous even though much thought goes into the engaging ads created for NAPA. Waltrip and Capps both have photogenic faces and perhaps vibes bounce back and forth well from the taller Waltrip down to the shorter Capps, but nothing seems uphill or downhill for the pair. Their interaction flows. Their lines come off naturally. So is it natural or contrived?
Let’s zoom in on these two of culprits of comedic advertising.
Action!
Well, lip action anyway. The best way to know more about the funny bonding that happens in the NAPA commercials is to go straight to the words of Waltrip and Capps.
In NAPA commercials with Ron Capps,you guys get along so well on camera. Did it happen all of sudden like it appears?
Michael Waltrip:
“It did and the reason that it happened. I knew Ron a little bit, but once we got to spend a little bit of time together -- I’m a big guy and he’s a littler guy, but our hearts and our passion for racing are matched up in synch perfectly. He loves what he does. He’s all in. He appreciates the way I have taken care of my sponsors over the years. He wants to do the same thing. He wanted to be the best representative and spokesperson for NAPA that he can possibly be. That’s exactly what I want to be.
“These two sports are just lined up perfect. We’re race car drivers that are a little bit surprised and thankful that we get to do what do. They’re the same way. That’s refreshing.”
Is there chemistry between you and Michael that just seemed to happen?
Ron Capps:
“We didn’t know and I’m sure the NAPA people didn’t think it would turn out like it did. What ending up happening was I kind of became the guy. That’s usually Michael’s role. He was a little on the serious side talking about I was already tired. We had just done 15 seconds through the commercial. He said, ’Why are you so tired? We only did 15 seconds.’ I said, 'Well, I’m only used to working five seconds.' And then the part number, everyone saying how did you end up doing Michael standing next to Michael? It kind of became funny. The fans have embraced it. They really love it.”
Cut!
 
The bonding of these two skilled drivers appeared to happen easily for they share common duties in and out of fast cars. Stock car racing and drag racing are not the same obviously, one goes around and around in speeding traffic while the other matches only two cars at higher speeds going straight.
The popularity of motorsports and its sponsorship ties requires public abilities as well as restricted driving prowess. That requirement changed as both sanctions of the sport gained popularity in the past two decades. NASCAR took off like rockets while NHRA soared too but not to the same stellar heights. Still, many thousands show up to numerous tracks across the USA for both types of racing events while millions follow TV coverage.
Waltrip and Capps exceed the minimum requirement for modern race car drivers. Both have been competitive at the highest racing levels and excelled with their public appearances. They now call this combination, “The Package”.
The NAPA guys deliver.
Action!
Ron Capps informed me that the executives at NAPA write the commercials. That’s impressive. Do you have a comment about that?
Michael Waltrip:
“A lot of people think I’m funny and entertaining because they see those commercials. That doesn’t have anything to do me. That’s all NAPA. They have a very creative advertising agency and very smart and tuned-in staff at NAPA. Gaylord Spencer is a marketing guy. Mike Rearden is a racing guy. Bob Susor is the president. They’re tuned into the sport. So if something don’t feel right, you can’t slip it by them. They know. When they came up for the chance for me to make the commercials with Ron and make them in the like that we did, it made sense to everyone. Again with all that said NAPA deserves a tremendous amount of credit. It’s been fun for me to be goofy and make fun of myself. And Ron likes making fun of me too, so we got along just fine.”
Ron Capps:
“The guys who actually come up with the ideas, believe it or not, are very funny and are the highest officers in NAPA like the vice president and president of the company. These are the guys that come up with the ideas which surprised me. When they sent me the very first ideas I was with my wife at home laughing. I was picturing Michael on the story board and I was laughing already. So when we got to the studio we start rehearsing and I was laughing. We start shooting and I couldn’t keep a straight face. We had a good time doing it. ”
Can you tell fans what Michael Waltrip is like?
Ron Capps:
“The most asked question I get besides people telling me I’m a lot shorter in person than I look on TV is ‘How is John Force in person?. Is he really like he is on TV?’ I get the same question about Michael and it’s the same answer. He’s just like you see him on TV all the time. He’s fun. He’s entertaining. Whenever we hang out and go to dinner or something my cheeks are sore because I’m laughing at him. He’s just a really good honest, fun person. His commercials have really taken off. He’s done a bunch of them with Dale Jr and Dale Jarrett. They are all very funny.”
When reminded about his often funny presence on TV and stage Waltrip was humble.
Michael Waltrip:
“Thank you.”
Cut!
 
Article taken from Racetake: http://www.racetake.com/napa8walcap.html
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