Two decades ago, Topp Racing was little more than a small Dallas-area operation born from a love of motorsport and a handful of loyal customers.
Today, the team is running at the sharp end of one of the most competitive one-make series in the world — Porsche Carrera Cup North America — with multiple race-winning drivers and a legitimate shot at the championship.
For team owner and founder, Todd Oppermann, the journey has been one of persistence, relationships, and an unwavering drive to keep moving forward.
“I grew up around racing. My uncle had been racing since before I was born. My dad raced too, but he stopped when I was born,” Oppermann said.
“I was just a little track rat at Road America — born in Milwaukee, it was kind of in my DNA. I got away from it for a while after moving to Texas, but I found my way back in as a corner worker. I just wanted to be part of racing any way I could.”
Volunteering at club-level events led to working on cars, traveling to events across the country, and building connections that would eventually set the foundation for Topp Racing.
Before starting the team, Oppermann managed a restoration and performance shop specializing in Mustangs and Camaros. But in 2005, he took a leap with a business partner into the burgeoning Spec Miata scene — even building the first cage for the very first car in the class. That partnership was short-lived, but it led to a pivotal moment.
“Some of my Miata customers also had Porsche Cup cars, but I never got to work on those until I went out on my own,” he said.
“As soon as they found out I was leaving, I suddenly became the Porsche Cup car guy. That was 2005, and that’s how Topp Racing started. It wasn’t necessarily by design — my customers pushed me in that direction.”
For several years, Topp Racing focused on Porsche Club of America events, growing its customer base through word of mouth. One early client, David Baker, would play a key role in the team’s future.
“I’ve watched David’s business grow over the years, and he’s always been a big supporter. Eventually, after some injuries, he decided to stop racing himself but still wanted to be involved.
“He offered to put some money in to own a car, and we’d find fast young drivers to put in the seat. That’s when we started doing a little bit of a driver search, relying on trusted recommendations.”
The goal was ambitious: to find and develop the next American Porsche factory driver.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had one. We focus on young drivers with the talent but not quite the budget to make it happen. David’s competitive spirit and generosity make it possible.”
By 2011, Topp Racing made its first foray into national competition in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, the forerunner to Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
When Carrera Cup launched in 2021, Topp Racing was there — but in those early years, they were far from title contenders.
“We were underdogs, just happy to be there. You had teams like Kelly Moss and JDX — the established powerhouses. We weren’t in that conversation yet.”
The turning point came with a growing driver development program. A recommendation from open-wheel squad Crosslink Racing brought Ryan Yardley to the team. He quickly became a front-runner, and by 2024, Topp Racing had its first genuine championship threat.
This year, the team’s progress has been undeniable. Yardley is firmly in the title hunt aboard the TCS Fuel entry, and newcomer Tyler Maxson stunned the paddock by winning from pole aboard the Apex Capital-backed entry in just his first half-season in the series.
“We’ve never seen anyone come in without prior Cup car experience and get up to speed this fast. Usually, it takes a couple of years. Tyler’s done it in half a season. He and Ryan work together well — no drama, no fighting. It’s my biggest dream and my worst nightmare because we could end up tripping over each other in the championship. But so far, it’s been great.”
Success in Carrera Cup requires total commitment from the crew, and Oppermann credits his team’s growth and loyalty as a cornerstone of Topp Racing’s rise.
“I’ve had most of my guys for several years. I keep giving them more responsibility, and they keep stepping up. I can’t do it without them — this is a people sport. I’m proud of all of them. We know what our goal is, but we don’t talk about it. It’s just 100% effort all the time.”
The team’s culture is rooted in relationships, not marketing splash.
“We’re not media giants like some other teams. We’ve always grown through word of mouth. It may not be the best business model, but it gets us the best quality of customers — people who want to be here and put in the effort. We’ll match that effort.”
Family is part of the fabric, too. Oppermann’s son Alex, a recent University of Alabama mechanical engineering graduate, now helps out at the shop while pursuing a career in aerospace. “He’s just as addicted to racing as I am.”
Topp Racing’s ladder doesn’t stop with Carrera Cup. The team also fields cars in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, often as a springboard for talent. This year, that includes young driver Cole Kleck, who is running his first full season of competitive racing.
“Cole’s family is giving him a real shot, and he’s delivering. He’s got natural talent. The goal is for Ryan to move on to a pro-level seat where he can make a living doing this, and Cole could step up into that role. That’s the progression plan — we want to create that path.”
For Oppermann, the series’ format is part of the allure.
“Carrera Cup is a top-level, worldwide spec series. You can compare yourself to anyone running it around the globe because the cars are identical. Porsche does a great job of keeping them that way. It means you have to put in 100% effort — there’s no advantage through equipment. Wins mean more because of that.”
With just a few rounds remaining in the 2025 season, Topp Racing is chasing a piece of history. Only one team has ever won the Carrera Cup North America teams’ championship, and the once-underdog Texas squad is in position to change that.
“We knew we could do it — we just needed the chance. Thanks to David Baker, my crew, and the drivers we’ve got, we’ve put ourselves in this spot. Now it’s about finishing the job.”
From corner-working at Texas club races to leading one of the most competitive Porsche one-make series in the world, the journey has been long. But for Topp Racing, it’s also been proof that persistence, talent development, and the right people can turn a passion project into a championship contender.
