8/15/2007
Along with fuel driver J.R. Todd and motorcycle racer Antron Brown, Tom Hammonds represents a group of racers of color that have reached the highest levels of drag racing success. I first met Tom when he was still an NBA star with the Denver Nuggets (and later the Minnesota Timberwolves) and a part-time drag racer. He brought his ’68 Camaro to the NMCA/Hot Rod Magazine race at Memphis more than a decade ago and through a series of events we became friends. He was as good on the dragstrip as a driver as he was a power forward in the “paint” in those days. After a couple of early efforts he now has resumed his Pro Stock career as a driver and owner of an NHRA Chevy Pro Stock team. I sat down with him at a test session at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis for this candid interview about drag racing, GM and Chevy, and the African-American’s role in drag racing today.
Why Pro Stock and why Chevy?
Tom Hammonds: I’ve always been a Pro Stock fan. I grew up watching guys like Lee Sheppard and Warren Johnson -- those guys were idols of mine growing up. I always loved the Pro Stock class. I’ve always been a Chevrolet fan, ever since I was growing up in high school, my very first vehicle that my dad purchased for me was a Chevrolet -- a long wheel-base pickup truck --and I’ve always loved Chevrolet. Having a chance to be involved in the Pro Stock programs early on, to be part of Larry Morgan and Kurt Johnson’s Pro Stock teams was a dream come true for me. Now that I have my own Chevy Pro Stock team and engine program I’m just looking forward to going out and winning races for Chevrolet and having a lot of fun.
Any thoughts on returning to your Pro Stock roots and racing a ten-wide or Pro Mod car?
TH: I’ve got a ’70 Camaro that I race in a class called Limited Street and have won some races with that car and had a lot of fun, but I’m a competitive person and while I’m not
saying that that particular style of racing isn’t competitive, for me, Pro Stock is the ultimate as far as door-car racing is concerned. Pro Stock is where I want to be.
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As a Pro Stock team owner, can you give me an estimate of what it costs for a race team without a major sponsor to race and be competitive in NHRA Pro Stock?
TH: For a privateer to get started doing this financially, assuming you don’t have a semi truck and trailer, race car, engine program and all of the support equipment. it’s going to take at least a couple million dollars just to get started.
