Capps started out washing cars in the late ‘50s — which was the best way to enter the industry in those days. He has worked only for three dealerships his entire career before become a business owner himself — and has seen those dealerships change hands several times.

Capps worked his way up the ranks and eventually became a mechanic. The dream was to own his own business some day, so when he saw a vacant building in Bremerton one day, he took the plunge and opened his own auto repair shop.

When Dale Thomas, owner of Thomas Lincoln Mercury where Capps had previously worked as a mechanic, asked him if he’d be interested in buying the dealership, Capps saw a great opportunity. The dealership, started in the mid-50s by Dale’s father, Bud, had been a mainstay on Auto Center Way. In 1981, Capps became the new owner.

Two years later bought a second dealership, which for the past few years has been housed in a brand new building. The building became the first Nissan signature facility in the country, and since then every new stand-alone Nissan dealership has been built using that design. Sales at Advantage Nissan have since doubled and then tripled.

Capps acknowledges the industry is tough and very competitive. Some of the success at the Lincoln Mercury store, for example, depends on the manufacturer, Ford Motor Corp., which has been experiencing difficulties in the past few years — as has the U.S. auto manufacturing industry in general.

“It’s tougher and tougher every year,” he said. “The margins manufacturers give dealerships are less and less, and expenses of running the dealership are more and more.”

At the same time, he feels the stigma surrounding the car sales professional has been going away, largely thanks to dealers working hard to improve their image.

Capps remains a hands-on owner, working at the store six days a week. He takes weeklong vacations but returns to work immediately to catch up, and doesn’t recall the last time he took two weeks off. He doesn’t see a need to slow down yet — but when he’s ready, the business will be in good hands: Capps’ sons, Chuck and Dean, have been working with their father for a while.

“They started out washing cars and worked their way up like dad,” Capps said. “I believe if they start and learn from the bottom up, they have a better understanding of the business, better respect for the public and the employees. It’s tough for sons and daughters to come into a business — they have to prove themselves and work harder than other employees to prove themselves.”

Capps feels proud of what the dealerships have accomplished, and has been finding ways to give back to the community as a thank you for the community support. He says he has not been disappointed by his career in the auto industry, and he would do it all over again. Having lived in Kitsap County his entire life (except for nine months out of the year when he raced full time), he wouldn’t trade it for anything else either.

“I’ve been in every state in the U.S., and there is no better plans than here,” he said.