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On September 23, 1978, Tommy Thompson was seriously hurt in a Mini-Indy crash at Trenton. He died 5 days later.
Thompson is a notable, but sometimes overlooked part of racing history as he had a chance to be the first African-American driver in the Indy 500.
(Info Thread)
Thompson is a notable, but sometimes overlooked part of racing history as he had a chance to be the first African-American driver in the Indy 500.
(Info Thread)
Tommy Thompson was born in Nyack, NY in 1943. He served in the Army in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and an Air Medal. After his discharge, Thompson worked in Manhattan for AT&T as a financial systems analyst.
Thompson joined the SCCA in the early 70s and raced sports cars. He was described as a great mechanical mind who did most of the engineering himself. In 1974, he became part of the Black American Racers Association, an organization that promoted African-Americans in racing.
In 1976 and 77, Thompson raced Super Vee cars for BARA. In 1976, he won the SCCA Northeast Division championship.
In 1978, he moved to the Mini-Indy Series, the equivalent of Indy Lights now. In the first race that year, he finished 8th at Phoenix, an event won by Tim Richmond.
In 1978, he moved to the Mini-Indy Series, the equivalent of Indy Lights now. In the first race that year, he finished 8th at Phoenix, an event won by Tim Richmond.
Tommy started 6 Mini-Indy races in 1978, finishing in the top-10 in all of them with a best finish of 7th at Mosport and starting from the pole at Ontario.
Entering the September 23rd race at Trenton, he was 12th in points after skipping a few events.
Entering the September 23rd race at Trenton, he was 12th in points after skipping a few events.
On the last lap at Trenton, Nancy James suffered an engine failure coming off turn four. To avoid her, John Barringer moved to the right and his right-rear wheel hit Thompson's left-front. They went head-on into the wall and Thompson's car flipped over the concrete barrier.
The car flipped through the grass outside the track. Barringer broke his legs. Thompson suffered serious head injuries. Johnny Rutherford rushed to Thompson's car to try and help. He never regained consciousness and passed away 5 days later.
Geoff Brabham won the race.
Geoff Brabham won the race.
"We're working to get a Black driver to Indianapolis. If not me, then somebody else. That's our long range goal. We're not going to give up until we get there." - Tommy Thompson
Because a lot of Mini-Indy drivers like Richmond, Brabham, Rich Vogler, Pete Halsmer went on to race in the Indy 500, its likely Thompson could've been the first African-American driver to qualify for the race. Instead, Willy T Ribbs broke the barrier in 1991.
For a more complete story on Tommy Thompson's career, read: https://www.inquirer.com/philly/columnists/mike_sielski/tommy-thompson-trenton-speedway-indycar-racing-jackie-robinson-nascar-anniversary-20180927.html
