Mark Thompson (racing driver)

Last updated
Mark Thompson
NationalityFlag of the United States.svg  American
Born (1951-07-09) July 9, 1951 (age 73)
Cartersville, Georgia
ARCA Racing Series career
Debut season1991
Crew chief Don Hoffman [1]
Former teams Henley Gray, Mike Brandt, Jack Bowsher, Billy Gerhart, Russ Roulo, Venturini Motorsports, Turner Scott Motorsports
Starts93
Wins2
Poles4
Best finish3rd in 1997
Finished last season72nd (2015)
NASCAR Cup Series career
3 races run over 3 years
2018 position41st
Best finish41st (2018)
First race 1992 Champion Spark Plug 500 (Pocono)
Last race 2018 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
4 races run over 3 years
2017 position62nd
Best finish62nd (2017)
First race 2015 Winn-Dixie 300 (Talladega)
Last race 2017 Subway Firecracker 250 (Daytona)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
Statistics current as of November 18, 2018.

Mark Thompson (born July 9, 1951) is a retired American professional stock car racing driver, pilot, and businessman. He formerly competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 66 Ford Fusion for MBM Motorsports, and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 13 car for MBM Motorsports. At age 66, Thompson is the oldest driver to compete in the Daytona 500.

Contents

Military career and Phoenix Air

The Phoenix Air-sponsored No. 40 car, driven by Carl Long -40 car Talladega.jpg
The Phoenix Air-sponsored No. 40 car, driven by Carl Long

Thompson started flying in 1969 as a Warrant Officer Candidate in the Army where he trained to fly helicopters. After an early release from the Army in 1972, he began teaching and transporting skydivers. [2] Later in the decade, Thompson founded Phoenix Air as a parachuting school, [3] "2016 Sparks Energy 300". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2016. which later evolved into an air transport company with ties to fifteen U.S. and foreign government agencies, carrying government workers who had been infected with diseases, including Americans who had contracted the Ebola virus disease from Liberia to the U.S. [4] Phoenix Air also provides tactical electronic warfare training services to the Air Force, the Air National Guard and the Navy. [5]

Phoenix Air currently sponsors MBM Motorsports' Nos. 13 and 40 cars in the Xfinity Series. In 2016, Phoenix served as a primary sponsor for MBM drivers Thompson, Carl Long and Timmy Hill. [6] [7] [8]

Racing career

ARCA Racing Series

During qualifying for the season-opening Lucas Oil 200 in 2015, Thompson became the oldest pole-sitter in Daytona International Speedway history after recording a lap speed of 187.336 miles per hour (301.488 km/h) [9] for his first pole in 18 years. [10]

On November 28, 2016, MBM Motorsports announced plans for Thompson to race at the 2017 season-opening Lucas Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series race at Daytona; the race was Thompson's final planned ARCA start, [11] though he would also compete at Talladega later in the season. Driving the No. 66 Phoenix Air Ford, Thompson qualified 15th, but finished 31st after he was collected in a nine-car accident on lap 49. In 2018, he returned and raced in the Lucas Oil 200, though he was taken out in a violent late-race crash. [12]

NASCAR

In 1993 and 1994, Thompson made three NASCAR Winston Cup Series attempts with Henley Gray, driving the No. 62 and No. 86, respectively. He failed to qualify in his first attempt at Darlington Raceway, but made the second race at Pocono Raceway after qualifying 38th. However, after eight laps, he retired from the race due to an engine failure, and finished 39th. [13] In 1993, Thompson failed to qualify for the Pepsi 400 after not making an attempt. [14] The next year, he joined Mike Brandt in the No. 66 Ford, but withdrew from the Daytona 500. [15]

In 2015, Thompson made his Xfinity Series debut in the Winn-Dixie 300 at Talladega Superspeedway, driving the No. 13 for MBM Motorsports, and qualified 31st, [16] while finishing 27th, two laps down. [17]

In 2017, Thompson joined Premium Motorsports to drive the No. 15 Chevrolet for the Alabama 500 at Talladega, Thompson's first Cup event in 25 years. [18] [19]

In 2018, Thompson raced in the 2018 Daytona 500 becoming the oldest driver at 66 years of age to drive in the event. He finished 22nd in what would become his final race in any series.

Personal life

Thompson's brother, Dent, was a writer at Walt Disney World until 1983, when he joined his brother at Phoenix Air; Dent currently works as Phoenix Air's COO. [3]

Thompson holds an ATP license and has five type ratings. [3]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Monster Energy Cup Series

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536MENCCPtsRef
1992 Gray Racing 62 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR
DNQ		 BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON POC
39		 MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL 90th46 [20]
1993 86 DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY
DNQ		 NHA POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL NA- [21]
2017 Premium Motorsports 15 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL KAN CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY KEN NHA IND POC GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH CHI NHA DOV CLT TAL
39		 KAN MAR TEX PHO HOM 66th01 [22]
2018 MBM Motorsports 66 Ford DAY
22		 ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV KAN CLT POC MCH SON CHI DAY KEN NHA POC GLN MCH BRI DAR IND LVS RCH CLT DOV TAL KAN MAR TEX PHO HOM 41st15 [23]
Daytona 500
YearTeamManufacturerStartFinish
2018 MBM Motorsports Ford 4022

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233NXSCPtsRef
2015 MBM Motorsports 13 Dodge DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL
27		 IOW CLT DOV MCH CHI DAY
DNQ		 KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM 73rd17 [24]
2016 Toyota DAY
DNQ		 ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV CLT POC MCH IOW DAY
31		 KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN
QL†		 DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM 74th11 [25]
2017 DAY
DNQ		 ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL
28		 CLT DOV POC MCH IOW DAY
29		 KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM 62nd17 [26]
† – Qualified but replaced by Timmy Hill.

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Racing Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425ARSCPtsRef
1991 Gray Racing 79 Chevy DAY
25		 ATL
14		 KIL TAL
12		 TOL FRS POC MCH KIL FRS DEL POC 29th915 [27]
62 Olds TAL
4		 HPT
32		 MCH
27		 ISF TOL DSF TWS ATL
34
1992 Pontiac DAY
11		 FIF
8		 NSH
6		 DEL POC HPT FRS ISF TOL DSF 24th1395 [28]
Olds TWS
27		 TAL TOL KIL POC
16		 MCH
9		 FRS KIL TWS
35		 SLM ATL
1993 Mike Brandt66 Ford DAY
40		 TWS
15		 TAL
5		 POC
12		 MCH
21		 FRS POC
8		 KIL ATL
6		20th1560 [29]
Olds FIF
2		 KIL
DNQ		 CMS FRS TOL ISF
40		 DSF TOL SLM
15		 WIN
32
1994 Ford DAY
34		 TAL
3		 FIF LVL KIL TOL FRS MCH
10		 POC
10		 KIL FRS INF I70 ATL
18		25th1240 [30]
0 Olds DMS
34		 POC
66 Buick ISF
18		 DSF TOL SLM WIN
1995 Ford DAY
36		 ATL
6		 TAL
23		 FIF KIL FRS POC
4		 POC
6		 KIL FRS SBS LVL ISF DSF SLM WIN ATL
21		26th1300 [31]
99 MCH
31		 I80 MCS FRS
1996 66 DAY
9		 ATL
6		 SLM TAL
2		 FIF
8		 LVL CLT
37		 CLT
30		 KIL FRS POC
20		 MCH
3		 FRS TOL POC
5		 MCH
2		 INF SBS ISF DSF KIL SLM WIN CLT
2		 ATL
2		12th2320 [32]
1997 DAY
36		 ATL
2		 CLT
1		 CLT
4		 POC
21		 MCH
3*		 SBS
7		 TOL
4		 KIL
8		 FRS
6		 MIN
9		 POC
6		 MCH
1		 DSF
5		 GTW
33		 SLM
4		 WIN
17		 CLT
25		 TAL
2*		 ISF
14		 ATL
6		3rd5230 [33]
86 SLM
4
1998 66 DAY
4		 ATL
32		 SLM CLT MEM MCH POC SBS TOL PPR POC KIL FRS ISF ATL DSF SLM TEX WIN CLT TAL
4		 ATL NA0 [34]
2000 Bowsher Motorsports 21 Ford DAY SLM AND CLT KIL FRS MCH POC TOL KEN BLN POC WIN ISF KEN DSF SLM CLT TAL
26		 ATL 116th115 [35]
2003 Mark Thompson48 Ford DAY ATL NSH SLM TOL KEN CLT BLN KAN MCH LER POC POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI SLM TAL
6		 CLT SBO 122nd200 [36]
2007 Gerhart Racing 5 Chevy DAY USA NSH SLM KAN WIN KEN TOL IOW POC MCH BLN KEN POC NSH ISF MIL GTW DSF CHI SLM TAL
28		 TOL 152nd90 [37]
2008 Roulo Brothers Racing 39 Ford DAY SLM IOW KAN CAR KEN TOL POC MCH CAY KEN BLN POC NSH ISF DSF CHI SLM NJE TAL
8		 TOL 97th190 [38]
2009 Venturini Motorsports 25 Toyota DAY SLM CAR TAL
25		 KEN TOL POC MCH MFD IOW KEN BLN POC ISF CHI TOL DSF NJE SLM KAN CAR 137th105 [39]
2010 66 DAY
2		 PBE SLM TEX TAL
25		 TOL POC MCH IOW MFD POC BLN NJE ISF CHI DSF TOL SLM KAN CAR 67th325 [40]
2011 DAY
17		 TAL SLM TOL NJE 105th170 [41]
Chevy CHI
34		 POC MCH WIN BLN IOW IRP POC ISF MAD DSF SLM KAN TOL
2012 Toyota DAY
5		 MOB SLM TAL
14		 TOL ELK POC MCH WIN NJE IOW CHI
24		 IRP POC BLN ISF MAD SLM DSF KAN 43rd475 [42]
2013 Turner Scott Motorsports 62 Chevy DAY
8		 MOB SLM 35th810 [43]
66 TAL
4		 TOL ELK POC MCH ROA WIN CHI NJE POC BLN ISF MAD DSF IOW SLM KEN KAN
14
2014 Venturini Motorsports Toyota DAY
37		 MOB SLM 81st200 [44]
Turner Scott Motorsports 4 Chevy TAL
15		 TOL NJE POC MCH ELK WIN CHI IRP POC BLN ISF MAD DSF SLM KEN KAN
2015 Ken Schrader Racing 11 Toyota DAY
14		 MOB NSH SLM 72nd330 [45]
66 TAL
13		 TOL NJE POC MCH CHI WIN IOW IRP POC BLN ISF DSF SLM KEN KAN
2016 Venturini Motorsports DAY
33		 NSH SLM TAL
19		 TOL NJE POC MCH MAD WIN IOW IRP POC BLN ISF DSF SLM CHI 66th370 [46]
MBM Motorsports KEN
10		 KAN
2017 Ford DAY
31		 NSH SLM TAL
31		 TOL ELK POC MCH MAD IOW IRP POC WIN ISF ROA DSF SLM CHI KEN KAN 98th145 [47]
2018 DAY
27		 NSH SLM TAL TOL CLT POC MCH MAD GTW CHI IOW ELK POC ISF BLN DSF SLM IRP KAN 101st95 [48]

References

  1. ↑ "2015 ARCA RACING TEAM CHART". The Pit Lane. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Nominee Mark Hillard Thompson". Georgia Aviation HOF. March 9, 2023. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Youngblood, Cindy. "Phoenix Air does charter work others fear to touch". Professional Pilot. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Phoenix Air Group Group Makes Name For Itself As Primary Air Transport For Those Exposed To Or Carrying Contagious Diseases". Aviation Pros. October 9, 2014. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  5. ↑ Radebaugh, Don (March 31, 2015). "Talladega open testing Wednesday, Live timing & scoring, live chat at ARCAracing.com". ARCA Racing Series . Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  6. ↑ "2016 Sparks Energy 300". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  7. ↑ "2016 Subway Firecracker 250". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  8. ↑ "2016 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Mark Thompson, 63, sets record with ARCA pole for Toyota". Autoweek . February 14, 2015. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  10. ↑ Bonkowski, Jerry (February 13, 2015). "ARCA veteran Mark Thompson, 63, becomes oldest pole winner in Daytona history". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ "NOVEMBER 2016". The Pit Lane. November 28, 2016. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  12. ↑ "2017 Lucas Oil Complete Engine Treatment 200". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  13. ↑ "1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  14. ↑ "1993 Pepsi 400 qualifying results". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  15. ↑ "1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Starting Line Up by Row – Talladega Superspeedway – Provided by NASCAR Statistics" (PDF). Jayski's Silly Season Site . Archived from the original (PDF) on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  17. ↑ "2015 Winn-Dixie 300". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  18. ↑ "49th Annual Alabama "500" Entry List" (PDF). Jayski's Silly Season Site . ESPN Internet Ventures. October 9, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  19. ↑ Nguyen, Justin (October 9, 2017). "Mark Thompson returns to Cup after 25 years, running the #15 at Talladega". Overtake Motorsport. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1991 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1992 ARCA SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1994 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1995 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1996 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1997 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 1998 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2000 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2007 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2009 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2010 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2011 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2012 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Mark Thompson – 2008 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.