Rahn Tobler

Rahn Tobler has been named crew chief for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car of Ron Capps effective immediately, team owner Don Schumacher has announced.

Don Schumacher Racing also has hired veteran tuner Todd Smith as the new crew chief for the Valvoline NextGen Funny Car driven by Jack Beckman in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Smith's first race with the team will be the April 13-15 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway's zMAX Dragway.

Tobler also will be the lead tuner for Beckman's team for at least the next two Full Throttle events as Smith transitions to his new position.

"Rahn will help Todd get adjusted to the Valvoline NextGen team and become acclimated to our DSR operation," Schumacher said. "Rahn will make the final decisions for at least the next two races.

"We have a strong enough organization that we can assist Todd, but it wouldn't take him long to become familiar with DSR and the Valvoline team; he has plenty of background in our sport."

Smith, a native of Oklahoma City living in Cooper City, Fla., has worked as a crew chief for Kalitta Motorsports, Darrell Gwynn Racing, Don Prudhomme Racing, and most recently Kenny Bernstein Racing's Brandon Bernstein from early  2010 through 2011. While at Don Prudhomme Racing, Smith was co-crew chief for current DSR Top Fuel ace Spencer Massey. Smith is the son of two-time NHRA Comp world champion Charlie Smith.

John Collins will assist Tobler on the NAPA Auto Parts team, and Terry Snyder will assist Smith on Beckman's car.