NHRA Competition Eliminator racer Don Thomas scored the richest first round of drag racing he’s ever experienced Friday at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip in Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Thomas, driving his B/Econo Dragster, defeated Brian Browell in the first round of eliminations to clinch the championship in the $750,000 RoofTec Competition Eliminator Bonus Fund.
Thomas was at a loss for words on Friday morning.
“I don’t know that I can put it in the right words,” Thomas said. “It’s overwhelming, honestly. We’ve all thought about it all year, each and every one of us, but I don’t think that it really hits you. I don’t know when it’ll set in.”
Thomas acknowledged the effort and investment Rodger Brogdon has made in preserving Competition Eliminator. And as
Thomas will attest, it’s raised the Competition Eliminator competition to the next level. Every NHRA Comp race, whether national or divisional, has required every winner to turn on five win lights.
“I just can’t thank everybody enough that’s been a part of it,” Thomas said. “Rodger Brogdon, first and foremost, for organizing this and putting it together. He kept after it and kept making it bigger and better every year. That’s a lot of effort on his part, and the Hudson family puts a lot of effort in all the rest of it. You guys, with all the media stuff, everybody that helps me. There’s so many people that are responsible for me being able to race the guys at the shop, my wife and kids, Jack, my brother Alan. There’s a hundred other people. You don’t have enough time for me to announce everybody, but I want to thank each and every one of them.”
A testament to the impact that the RoofTec Competition Eliminator Bonus Fund has made on the class, when Thomas won the rescheduled Pine Valley Dragway divisional at the Texas Motorplex in October, he became the first driver in the series’ history to win more than one race in a season. Thomas also won a race in the Texas Motorplex double divisional back in May.
“I didn’t even win, and I’m excited,” said series organizer Brogdon. “It’s just great for the sport of drag race, great for our class Competition Eliminators, which we all love so much. It’s very hard to do what Don just did, and he’s had a hell of a year. I’m very, very proud of him. He’s driven well. He’s got a fast car, and he just took care of business. He just focused every race and did what he had to do. I want to thank everybody for participating. It’s a great program. It’s grown really well, and we’re very proud of what we’ve done.
“With the Hudson family, I couldn’t done it without them and CompetitionPlus.com, But congratulations, Don. It’s just amazing. Amazing year. We’ve all had a great time doing it. Thanks, buddy.”
