Mickey Thompson

Mickey Thompson was a Southern California racer whose career spanned nearly every corner of American motorsport. He was known for relentless experimentation and for turning his racing knowledge into businesses.

In 1960, Thompson drove his Challenger I streamliner — powered by four Pontiac V8 engines — at Bonneville and recorded a one-way speed of more than 406 miles per hour. A mechanical failure prevented the required return run, so the speed did not stand as an official world record, but it made Thompson famous.

Beyond the salt

Thompson was involved in drag racing and Indianapolis car projects, and later became a major force in off-road racing. He helped found SCORE, an off-road racing organization, and later promoted stadium off-road events that brought desert-style racing to arenas.

His name lives on in the tire and wheel brand that bears it. Thompson and his wife, Trudy, were killed in 1988.