Anthony Gaples

Anthony "Tony" Gaples is a seasoned American race car driver and businessman with a racing career spanning over two decades. He is the Founder & CEO of Blackdog Speed Shop, Blackdog Racing, and Blackdog Performance Cars, blending his passion for motorsports with his entrepreneurial spirit.

Gaples has competed in a variety of racing series since 2000, including the Ferrari Challenge Series, SCCA T1, Pirelli World Challenge/SRO GT4 America, and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. He has piloted a diverse range of cars, including Ferraris, Corvettes, Camaros, and McLarens. Notably, Blackdog Racing currently campaigns the McLaren 570S GT4 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, with Gaples sharing driving duties with Michael Cooper. In 2024, Gaples and Cooper teamed up again in the Pirelli GT4 America series driving the Blackdog Racing Nissan Z NISMO GT4.

Gaples's competitive drive has led the Blackdog Race team to achieve significant success, including five Driver Championships, four Team Championships, and four Manufacturer's Championships (two for Chevrolet and two for McLaren). His leadership has fostered a culture of excellence within the Blackdog organization. In his personal life, Gaples is an avid car enthusiast, enjoys playing guitar and is a fan of Chevrolet muscle cars.