By Hal Lamar
Norfolk State graduate and Atlanta businessman Sam Tompkins will take his souped up Chevy S-10 pickup truck to Indianapolis next week to join hundreds of colleagues at the US Nationals. The 45 year old event is considered the Super Bowl of professional drag racing.
Tompkins, co-owner and founder of Wood and Tompkins Cores in southwest Atlanta, has been racing at the amateur level for years before deciding more than two years ago to move into truck drag racing's top bracket and invest the funds for a vehicle which could compete. He has competed in four events this year and missed qualifying in all but one by tenths of a second.
He admits that qualifying at the Nationals will be even tougher. Some 50 trucks are expected to compete in that category alone. "If I can make a good showing, I'd be real happy", said the Virginia native. "If we qualified, that would be an astronomical step for us to take, considering what you are up against. Some of the guys in the race with big sponsors and deep pockets have backup engines, lots of spare parts and can test two to three times a week. I'm financing this venture out of my pocket."
Tompkins may not qualify but he probably will get more exposure than most. Notwithstanding the millions watching on TV and the thousands expected at the Indianapolis International Raceway all week, Tompkins is the first and only African American driver competing in pro stock truck drag racing.
