Wrapping up the champions from the Tournament of Champions is 64-year-old Mike Thompson. Sitting at the opposite end of the spectrum from young Corey Manuel, Thompson has been racing for two decades longer than Manuel has been alive. But despite all of the miles he has logged, Thompson still treats each win just as he did when he was younger.

Mike Thompson

“It means a lot to me to win this thing because I am 64 and I might not ever have the chance to do it again,” Thompson said. “I have been racing for over 30 years and this is as exciting as they come. I have been doing this a long time so I was relaxed out there, but it was still exciting to get the win.”

Behind the wheel of his shiny 2003 Chevy Cavalier, Thompson went five rounds against Don Rudd, Russell Marr, Kamron Wright and finally Donny Urban to get the win – essentially a who’s who in the Top Sportsman division. After surviving a grueling day against the classes best, Thompson saved his best for last with a .011 reaction time and a 7.438/180.26 on a 7.42 to drive around Urban who had a .028 light and a 7.156 on a 7.16 dial.

All of the World Champions received $10,000 courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment and AMSOIL and a special championship Ironman trophy as the IHRA closes the books on the 2012 racing season.