Tom Thompson Earns 2024 WDRA Summit Box World Championship Title
The second set of WDRA Summit World Champions presented by SunCoast Performance have been officially crowned. The invitation-only event occurred at Montgomery International Dragway and featured a select field of tough competitors from the WDRA member track network. The 2024 WDRA Summit Box World Champion, Tom Thompson, is the first man of the hour.
The fifty-two-year-old born and raised in South Carolina, “Lil” Tom Thompson, learned all about drag racing from his father, Tom, who continues to be crew chief at the racetrack when he can attend. Starting at fourteen, this year marks Thompson’s 38th season, with most of his races occurring behind the wheel of his Foxbody Mustang, built in 1992 by Maddox Race Cars. He earned his first track championship at Ware Shoals Dragway in 2000 and after seven near misses over the years, he finally secured his second track championship this year at Greer Dragway.
This was Thompson’s first attempt at a World Championship, and he left with a perfect score as he crushed the competition on Saturday. He defeated fellow track champions Dereck Patterson from Nitro Motorsports Park, Aaron Shriver from I-29 Dragway, Scott Sanders from Cherokee Race Park, and Jared Pennington from I-22 Motorsports Park before earning a bye run into the final round.
It was a door car versus dragster $20,000 final, with Thompson turning his .007 reaction time into a .035 margin of victory over Ian Woods, who was representing London Dragway. You could hear vocalizations within the racecar as Thompson rolled into the winner’s circle and emerged as the 2024 WDRA Summit Box World Champion.
Thompson’s energy was electric as he announced, “I had a hell of a good time! I race at Greer Dragway, the best track around and the toughest competitors. That’s why I’m here as the champion today, because of them racers over there. I’m going to try to represent WDRA the best I can.”
Before the excitement in victory lane, Thompson admits he took a moment after the final win light to pull off the return road and soak in what he had just accomplished. He explains, “I screamed and hollered [at the finish line], but then I was in awe, I couldn’t believe it. You go to the racetrack, and you expect to win and create moments like that, but it felt really good to pull it off.”
Thompson’s victory awarded him twenty thousand dollars cash, a billet WDRA Rod trophy, and free entry into any WDRA member track event next season courtesy of the WDRA Champion Card. Additionally, each WDRA World Champion received a $1,000 gift certificate from Technocraft Trailer Cabinets and a Contingency Connection Championship Package.
However, for Thompson, this win signified more than cash, prizes, and etching his name into the history books. Instead, he focuses on the impact on his family and other racers with big aspirations. He elaborates, “I’m so thankful I was able to accomplish this while my dad was there to see it. I really wanted to win the points this year for him, and it’s been five years since we lost my mother, so I knew I wanted to win this for my family. My dad gets around good and all, but he will be 80 years old this year, and you never know. Him being there was so special; I just wish my kids, and my girlfriend had been there, too.”
While speaking on his online podcast, the Fatrabbit and Sticks Show, Thompson shares some words of encouragement for fellow racers. He said, “For what I do, local bracket racing, I’ve achieved the ultimate goal. That [World Championship] was it. I hope this inspires other people who might think, ‘If he can do it, then I can do it too.’”
The automotive shop owner had numerous people to thank for their support over the years, including his dad, Maddox Race Cars, Jimmy Hall, Charles Headen, Daryl Hollin, and William Cook. He adds, “Times have changed, and some of those folks have left us, but I promise they haven’t been forgotten. My dad and my sister, Karen, are my biggest supporters. My girlfriend, Jennifer, and my kids, Hayden and Emma Claire, keep me grounded.”
As for competing at the WDRA Summit World Championships presented by SunCoast Performance, Thompson expresses that no expenses were spared in treating the racers well and providing an excellent complimentary dinner. If the white tickets print in his favor next season, he will certainly entertain the opportunity to defend his new title.
For more information about the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and the Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series, visit our website at www.racewdra.com.
This story was originally published on November 6, 2024.
The post Tom Thompson Earns 2024 WDRA Summit Box World Championship Title first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
