| Today, the name Mickey Thompson brings to mind | | | | the sport and for helping get motocross and off-road |
| stellar wheels and tires that are respected for their | | | | races into stadiums and away from off-road venues. |
| speed and safety capabilities. Long before the wheels | | | | This increased the visibility of the sport and led to |
| and tires, Thompson the man was known for his | | | | today's famous mammoths such as Bigfoot. Indeed, |
| thirst for speed and his ability to race. Off-road, his | | | | it does not seem a huge stretch to thank Mickey for |
| performances are the stuff of legend. He also raced | | | | starting a movement that would eventually peak with |
| dragsters and won many championships. | | | | the X Games, where motocross is a star sport. |
| He was a talented driver but what really has kept his | | | | Unfortunately, the Mickey Thompson legend has a |
| name at the forefront of the racing world is his ability | | | | sad ending. The visionary and his wife were |
| to serve as a skilled automobile technician. He did not | | | | murdered in 1988. A former business partner of |
| just drive cars; he made them better. He is the | | | | Mickey was eventually charged with the murders and |
| person who designed the slingshot dragster, moving | | | | convicted. The murders have been the subject of |
| a seat so that he could effectively increase traction | | | | many TV documentaries and though Mickey is no |
| and ultimately speed. | | | | longer living, his legend lives on. He was posthumously |
| The first American to break the 400mph barrier, he | | | | awarded inclusion into the Motorsports Hall of Fame |
| continued to make different modifications to | | | | and Automobile Hall of Fame, which may not have |
| different types of vehicles, owned a famous drag | | | | existed today without his influence. He also has been |
| strip and designed championship cars. In 1963, he | | | | recognized as one of the top drivers of all time. |
| parlayed his popularity and prowess into his own | | | | Today, his legacy lives on in Mickey Thompson |
| brand, Mickey performance tires. Henceforth, the | | | | wheels and tires. With a spirit that was made for |
| name Mickey Thompson became known for | | | | speed, Thompson inspired others to go as fast and |
| performance tires, including those used by Indianapolis | | | | as far as possible. Those who elect to place Mickey |
| 500 competitors. | | | | tires on their vehicles remember that spirit and honor |
| Mickey Thompson is also credited with bringing racing | | | | it. |
| to the forefront by founding a governing body for | | | | |