Gremlins Continue to Strike at Home Track

Medford OR - Ever since the Lucas Oil NHRA divisional event has come to Clint Thompson’s home track, Champion Raceway in Medford Oregon, the gremlins would come out in force and give Thompson enough trouble to keep him out of the final round. The more the race had on the points implications the more problems the team would face or so it seemed. This year Thompson was determined to put the past behind him and do well at his home track. “This year we were more focused as the race is a must win in order to capture the Northwest Division Championship” Thompson said.

Thompson’s Cascade Auto Group team set up a day early to ensure the best possible advantage and to test a new engine with cylinder heads designed by Bob Miner. On the first test pass, Thompson banged the blower at about 150 feet as it was too lean. The team made the needed repairs and went out again. On the second pass he banged the blower again at about 1000 feet but managed to turn a respectable 5.87 on the new engine combination. “It almost made it to the finish line” Thompson joked. . “We were out to get a baseline tune-up and we improved on each run” Thompson explained, "it's showing signs of working good now so we'll run it for the rest of the weekend."

In Friday's second qualifying session, Thompson ran a 5.81 good for number two and it appeared that the gremlins had disappeared but the problems returned in third session. “We were going after the number one position since there was a bye run in the second round as there was only six cars. We tried to steal it but I shook the tires”

Going into the first round, Thompson faced Jason Rupert who was blocking for Canadian Ken Webster who had completed the maximum amount of allowable divisional races. At the hit it was Thompson out first with a 0.064 to Rupert’s 0.074 reaction time but just before half track Thompson began hazing the tires. That was all Rupert needed to ruin Thompson’s day. “I had him off the line and then by half track I smoked the tires. I peddled it for all I had. We are very disappointed. The team wanted this bad as the loss eliminated us from any chance at winning the division. I can’t seem to shake the gremlins here. I can’t remember the last time we got past the first round in Medford ” Thompson reasoned.

Thompson doesn’t stay down for long and before the day was over he was enjoying time with fans, friends and family that came out to see him and even did a TV news interview for the local CBS affiliate. “I had a lot of friends and family here from Klamath Falls and old high school friends from Grants Pass. We appreciate everyone's loyal support. The good news is that the new heads are obviously making more horespower. Our next two races are in Las Vegas where we can really use the power, so we're excited about that. We still have three races to go and can still achieve our goal of a top ten National finish” Thompson said with his familiar upbeat attitude. If Thompson has a say in the matter he'll have a top ten number on the side of his car in 2010.



Local Fans and friends Invited to checkout the action!
Thompson Looks to Do Well at Only Home Track Appearance of Year

Medford - Klamath Fall's Clint Thompson plans to bring the good luck he usually enjoys in Canada to his home track, Champion Raceway near Medford. Thompson, a local car dealer is a top competitor in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and is battling for the NHRA Northwest Division Championship in the Top Alcohol Funny Car division.

Thompson considers this weekend's NHRA event which begins on Friday as a must win race in order to stay alive in the points both in the region and nationally. "We are still in the hunt for the Northwest Division Championship, and a top ten national finish. So, we must win the Medford race to get it done" Thompson said. Last year, Thompson was in a similar situation but lost in the first round to California's Mike Gordon. This year, Thompson hopes to duplicate wins he's earned in Seattle and Mission BC where he has won three BC National titles in a row.

Along with the must-win drama that will unfold for Thompson this weekend, the race is the only opportunity for local race fans to see the car in action as the Cascade Auto Group team races exclusively on the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series circuit which stops in Medford once a year. The team races all over the west coast and even in the midwest so the Medford stop in the Fall is one they look forward to all season. "The whole team is excited about racing at home in Medford and we are ready for the challenge" Thompson said while getting his car ready for the event.

Thompson Invites Local Race Fans

Thompson invites all of his fans and friends from Klamath Falls and Southern Oregon to come out and experience the excitement of his 250 MPH Funny car rocket down the quartermile dragstrip in five seconds. Every ticket is a pit pass so friends and fans can join the Thompson's team in the pits right next to where the car is serviced between runs.

Qualifying begins on Friday with eliminations taking place on Saturday. Champion Raceway is located on the Lake of the Woods Highway just two miles east of White City. Tickets are available at the gate.

Thompson Improves in Montana

Acton Montana - On the way back home from the NHRA national event in Brainerd, the Cascade Auto Group Racing Team stopped in Acton Montana for an NHRA Divisional event. Driver Clint Thompson, was looking to do well at the Division Six race held just outside Billings. In qualifying, Thompson qualified fifth with a 5.98 at 243 MPH and faced the likes of Oregon rival Brian Hough who was also fresh from Brainerd and qualified fourth with a 5.94 at 242 MPH.

This was clearly a race that Thompson wanted bad and it showed at the starting line as he was off the line first with a great 0.010 reaction time to Hough’s slower 0.120. At sixty feet out Hough slowed when his car developed engine problems. Thompson in the other lane sailed through the lights with a 5.94 at 242 MPH to take the win and advance to the semifinals. But first, the team would have some thrashing to do in the pits as Thompson suffered some engine problems of his own at the top end.

In the semis, Thompson faced California’s Sean O’Bannon. At the hit, Thompson got off the line first with a 0.096 reaction time to O’Bannon’s 0.118. Thompson had the lead early with O’Bannon quickly closing in at mid track. At the stripe it was O’Bannon who squeaked by and got the win light with a 5.79 at 248 MPH to Thompson’s valiant 5.85 at 245 MPH. It was a close race as the team showed a lot of heart and improvement since mid season. Now, the Cascade Auto Group team has some momentum going into the last few races of the year.

Clint Thompson Battles Familiar Field In Midwest

Brainerd - For the second year in a row Clint Thompson traveled all the way to Brainerd Minnesota from his home in the Pacific Northwest for the 28th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Even though it was a long tow, Thomspon’s Cascade Auto Group team still found themselves in familiar surroundings as not only was there a rain delay reminiscent of home, four of the fourteen cars in the field often compete against the Cascade Auto Group team at Northwest divisional events, and all of them landed in the top half of the field. This included Thompson, who qualified seventh with a fine 5.78 at 248 MPH.

In the first round. Thompson raced against Brian Thiel of Pleasant Grove CA. Thiel has also been racing in the Northwest Division most of the season. At the light Thiel had the starting line advantage with a 0.023 to Thompson’s 0.092. Thompson then began suffering tire shake but valiantly tried to get around Thiel at the top end of the track. At the finish line it was Thiel with a 5.78 at 249 MPH to take the win. Thompson was right there with a 5.87 at 250 MPH but it wasn’t enough to get past Thiel.

The Cascade Auto Group team now heads to Acton Montana just outside Billings for an NHRA Northwest Division event.

Past Seattle Champ Goes Out Early in Seattle

Seattle - For Northwest racers one of the most anticipated events on the drag racing schedule has to be the NHRA Northwest Nationals as no other track in the northwest corner of the country hosts an NHRA Full Throttle Series national event. This is the big one where local talent in all sportsman classes are showcased to the rest of the country. But for the competitive Clint Thompson, the Seattle race is where he always runs his best having won this event twice in both 2005 and 2007 behind the wheel of the Cascade Auto Group Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Thompson made his bid to win number three by qualifying deep in a field made up of both west coast and Canadian contenders. When qualifying was complete, Thompson ended up as the number eleven qualifier with a solid 5.70 at 253 MPH. This would set up a first round showdown with Division Six rival Brian Hough of Junction City, Oregon. “We’re a little off of where the fast guys are running so we need to see what we can do to get the car to run a little quicker” said the popular Klamath Falls racer while studying the qualifying data inside his trailer prior to the first round.

Indeed, a lot was riding on this first round match up as both drivers badly wanted a win in Seattle. At the light, Thompson two stepped it and was off the line too early and red lit. Adding insult to injury the two step on the throttle caused the car to smoke the tires. Like any racer, Thompson was disappointed but realized that there is plenty of races left in the season. “That’s drag racing and you need to remind yourself that there’s always another race. We’re going on to Brainerd in few weeks so not to worry as we’ll have another shot at a Wally there” Thompson reasoned.

Thompson will forgo the Lucas Oil divisional event in Sonoma and will head to the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainard, August 13-16 followed by a division stop in Acton Montana on August 21-23.


Thompson Quickly Rebounds in Seattle

For the first time ever, the NHRA hosted back-to-back divisional races in Spokane and Seattle respectively. In Spokane, at the newly renovated Spokane County Raceway, Clint Thompson qualified his Cascade Chevrolet Monte Carlo fourth with a 5.83 at 246 MPH. In the first round Thompson took on upset minded Trevor Lebsack of Canada. Sadly for Thompson, his car broke on the burnout which handed the win over to Lebsack who crossed the finishline with an off pace 6.37.

After the first round loss in Spokane, it was off to Seattle for the second NHRA Division Six event in as many weeks at Pacific Raceways. In the first qualifying stanza Thompson served notice that his problems in Spokane were behind him as he qualified second for the round with a solid 5.66 at 254 MPH. In the final qualifying session, Thompson dropped to fifth going into the first round of eliminations made up of both California and Northwest cars.

In the first round, Thompson took on Brian Thiel of California who is racing both an alcohol car and a nitro funny car part time on the Full Throttle circuit. At the light, Thiel was off the line a little to early handing the win automatically to Thompson who experienced problems of his own as he would have to idle the car to the finishline, but would still advance to the semifinal round.

In the semis, Thompson faced Ken Webster. At the hit Thompson was out first with a 0.050 reaction time to Webster’s slower 0.110. At the stripe it’s Thompson with a big holeshot win. Thompson stopped the clocks with a 5.71 at 251 MPH to Webster’s quicker but losing 5.66 at 254 MPH.

In the finals it was down to both Thompson of Klamath Falls and California racer Steve Gasparrelli. At the light, Thompson was once again out of the gate first with an 0.052 to Gasparrelli’s 0.086. But even with the slightly slower reaction time, Gasparrelli was able to hold on for the win with a 5.58 at 257 MPH to Thompson’s close 5.66 at 254 MPH to take the runner up honors in Seattle.


Cascade Team Meets West Coast Rival in Topeka

Coming off a semifinal finish in Canada, Clint Thompson was determined to go one round farther in Topeka for the 21st annual O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX.

With more than a full field of alcohol funny cars in attendance, it would be a challenge just to get into the show and it wasn’t until the final qualifying round before Thompson was able to bump into the difficult sixteen car field with a 5.74 at 249 MPH.

"We dropped a valve about 1.5 seconds into the first run which banged the blower" said Thompson. "That put us into a thrash as we didn't have a lot of time between runs on Friday, we replaced the cylinder head and a piston and went up for the second qualifier only to have another issue that time. The car didn't sound right when I backed up from the burnout and I knew it was hurt so I shut it off. That put us in a corner with just one run to go. The weather was really hot and so the tune up was a bit tricky, I just set it up sorta soft so it would make it down the track and we got in" Thompson explained.

In the first round, Thompson faced California rival Sean O’Bannon, whom Thompson saw a lot of in 2008. At the hit, Thompson stabbed the throttle first with a good 0.043 light. O’Bannon was right behind with a 0.051 light. At the stripe the winner was O’Bannon with a slightly better 5.70 at 255 to Thompson’s very close 5.76 at 251 MPH. "For first round, I knew Sean would be tough so we tuned it up a bit, but the temperature got much hotter as did the track, at the last minute, I detuned the motor some to be on the safe side and was just a little off as Sean managed a .'70 flat to my .'76. I thought I had him covered as I didn't see him unitil about 1000 feet. I got a little better light than him and almost pulled off a holeshot win." Thompson said.

It was a very close race and a good outing for the Cascade Auto Group team but it just wasn’t enough to get the first round win. The team will regroup and come out swinging at their next planned event, the Lucas Oil Series division race at the new Spokane Raceway June 13 and 14, then on to Pacific Raceways in Seattle, June 19-21.

Thompson Falls Short of Winning Four Consecutive Lordco Auto Parts BC National Titles



Mission Canada, May 22-24 - Clint Thompson’s Blue Cascade Chevrolet funny car has been a familiar site in the Lordco Auto Parts BC Nationals Winner’s Circle for the last three years. And instead of being content with three in a row, the Klamath Falls Oregon racer wanted to make it four in a row. With the odds of coming out on top were just as good as before, Thompson went into qualifying with the confidence knowing he could win it all on Sunday.

With only seven funny cars on the Mission Raceway Park grounds, qualifying wasn’t as difficult as it has been at some of the events already held in Division Seven. By the end of the final qualifying session, Thompson had qualified third with a 5.70.8 at 253 MPH.

In the first round of eliminations, Thompson faced popular Chilliwack BC racer Tim Nemeth, who was hoping to win a round in front of the home crowd. Nemeth tried to make it a good race as he got off the line first but by 300 feet Thompson caught up and drove around him. By half track Nemeth banged the blower and that was all she wrote as Thompson easily took the win with a respectable 5.64 at 254 MPH to Nemeth’s slowing 7.28.

In the second round Thompson took on yet another tough Canadian racer, John Evanchuk, of Edmonton. Evanchuk qualified second just ahead of Thompson with a 5.70.6 to Thompson’s 5.70.8. So, on paper this was anyone’s race. At the hit Evanchuk was out of the hole first with a 0.058 reaction time to Thompson’s 0.144. Thompson was in hot pursuit of Evanchuk but at the stripe Evanchuk was able to hold on to beat Thompson who lost the race in a squeaker. Thompson, recorded a 5.63 at 256 MPH to Evanchuk’s winning 5.69 at 252 MPH.

Thompson and his dedicated team will now head east to the Midwest and race at the O'Reilly Summer Nationals scheduled for May 29-May 31 in Topeka Kansas.

Thompson Displays Solid Effort in Vegas

Las Vegas - Clint Thompson took his blue Cascade Auto Group Chevrolet Monte Carlo to Las Vegas for the Tenth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals. Thompson qualified in the middle of the pack with a solid 5.72 at 251 MPH to grab the seventh spot.

In the first round Thompson faced California racer Doug Gordon who’s always a tough customer and had got in the show with a respectable 5.74. So, on paper this race was a toss up. At the light it was Thompson out first with an 0.026 reaction time to Gordon’s 0.044. At the stripe it was Thompson by less than a nose in an exciting side by side race. Thompson ran a 5.64 at 252 MPH to get the holeshot win. Gordon meanwhile had a slightly better 5.63 at 256 MPH but the slower reaction time put him on the trailer.

In the second round, Thompson would face the man he battled all last season in the points, Sean O’Bannon. At the starting line OBannon got out first with an 0.036 reaction time to Thompson’s 0.058. Down track Thompson moved around a little bit and that was all it took for OBannon to get the win light with a 5.68 at 253 MPH to Thompson’s slightly slower 5.70 at 251 MPH. The race was a valiant effort for the Klamath Falls team but just wasn't enough to get around O'Bannon.

Over all, Thompson had a solid effort and the Vegas outing will give the team some momentum going into the Mission race where they hope to win for the fourth straight year.

 

New Photo Page from the 2008 Season Click Here

Fairwell to Vic Miller Vic Miller won't be racing with us in 2009 as the long trips away from home necessitated that he spend more time with his family. We appreciate Vic's dedication to getting it done between rounds and those long nights getting the car ready for battle on Sunday. He will be missed! Clint, Danette, Tyler and Kelly

Get in the Winner's Circle...Advertise with Clint
Thompson Racing During the 2009 Season


Klamath Falls - After a great year with Dutch Bros, that included a celebrated national event victory, Thompson Racing and the popular west coast coffee chain parted ways due to the current economic climate and change in strategy. "While we are disappointed that Dutch Bros opted to go a different direction, we are hopeful that they may pick up where they left off at some point in the future" said team owner Clint Thompson.

While the economy was sited as the reason, sponsoring a professional race team such as Thompson's 250 MPH Monte Carlo makes good business sense as marketing packages come in a number reasonable price ranges and include a number of amenities including pit-side hospitality for company associates and clients, collector cards, t-shirts, website advertising, on site point of sale displays, and of course signage on the race car seen at the track and nationally on ESPN. It's a complete multi-facet advertising package.

Like NASCAR, drag racing fans are very loyal and buy products endorsed by popular drivers like Clint Thompson, but the cost of advertising is a much better value than the cost of sponsoring a NASCAR team, with the unlimited pit access at NHRA events being a big advantage over other motorsports. For direct answers on how we can help generate sales and positive PR for your business Contact us for additional information.

Thompson Makes The Cut at Phoenix

Phoenix (February 28 - March 1) Clint Thompson went deep in the desert looking to grab a win at the Division Seven opener at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix . With over 16 cars looking to get into a stout 8 car field, half of the cars would not qualify to race on Sunday. Fortunately, Clint Thompson and his Cascade Auto Group Monte Carlo got into the show with a great initial pass as he blasted to a 5.74 at 252 MPH to qualify 6th. Then in the final qualifying session Thompson improved to a 5.72 at 252 MPH to move up to forth. By the end of the session after more funny cars made qualifying runs, Thompson got bumped down to the sixth position.

In the first round it was Oregon vs. New York, as Thompson who reins from Klamath Falls, Oregon faced Tony Bartone from Long Island, New York. At the line, Thompson drilled the recent Winternationals champ with an 0.075 reaction time to Bartone’s 0.119. Unfortunately for Thompson, his lead didn’t last long as tire smoke set in at about 60 feet. Meanwhile, Bartone sailed by and got the win with a 5.70 to advance to the next round of competition.

"We were struggling all weekend with a fuel system issue that was preventing us from making maximum power. After finally finding and correcting the problem Sunday morning before first round, we were then at the mercy of luck as our tuning around the problem had us a little messed up on our clutch setup. The end result was obvious, after fixing the fuel system and getting our power back, the clutch was too aggressive and we just smoked the tires at the hit. The good news is we've got our Miner Bros. power back and we're off to an excellent track next in Las Vegas. Just a little adjustment to the clutch and we should be back on track"

Thompson Lasts Until Quarter Finals at Pomona

The Winternationals certainly lived up to their name as cold wintry weather extended the race from a long weekend to a week long marathon. For Clint Thompson, the race‘s location is just a day long tow, all for the chance at winning one of drag racing’s biggest and most prestigious events. Thompson was in it to win it so waiting out the rain was well worth the chance of getting a shot at the winner’s circle and nothing new, living in the Northwest.

With all of the intermittent rain, most classes got only one chance to qualify. Fortunately, Thompson qualified on the provisional pole with a great 5.63 at 253 MPH. By the end of the session Thompson ended up in the number two position just behind Frank Manzo. In the first round, Thompson was to face Daniel Oliver driving Randy Goodwin’s popular machine. But Oliver was a no show. This gave Thompson the unusual chance to test in National event competition. Unfortunately he was too aggressive and the tires went up in smoke immediately so he coasted down track for the win.

In the second round, Thompson had a meeting with California regular Doug Gordon. Gordon got off the line first and never surrendered the lead. By the finish line, Gordon gained a tenth over Thomson and recorded a career best 5.51 at 261 MPH, to Thompson’s 5.61 at 254 MPH, which wrapped up the week long affair for the Cascade Auto Group team.

Next the team travels to sunny Phoenix Arizona for the Division Seven Lucas Oil Drag Race event Feb 27 - Mar 1 to start the divisional points series.

Thompson Racing T'Shirts
T-shirts are now available !(white and black) S,M,L,XL,2XL...$17.00+ $3.00 shipping and handling

Thompson Racing Sweatshirts
(black only) L, XL, 2XL...$30.00+ 3.00 shipping and handling

to purchase shirts please
Contact Us