Thompson jumps to late model at Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS - Travis Thompson was getting older and figured his window of opportunity was shrinking, so he decided to act on his desire to become a race car driver.

Thompson, of Atkins, got behind the wheel just four years ago and was hooked the very first lap.

"Racing has been my lifelong dream," the 31-year-old Thompson said. "I've always loved it. I enjoyed going to watch it. I guess I was getting older and decided if I really wanted to do this I need to try it out. I kind of went in small and fell in love with it right away. It's grown from there."

Thompson's career is growing even more this summer. He will compete in the late model class for the first time when Hawkeye Downs Speedway opens its 2011 weekly racing series Friday. Gates open at 6 p.m. with hot laps at 6:40. Races are scheduled for 7:30.

Thompson raced a sportsman car the last three years. He was seventh in season points his first season, improving to third in 2009 and then was runner-up for the season points championship last summer. Thompson said the sportsman division combined with another class and will race on the quarter-mile track at Hawkeye Downs.

The uncertain future of the sportsman class, suffering from dwindling participation the last few years, proved to be a catalyst for Thompson to make another move toward his ultimate goal.

"My dream when I got into racing was to get a late model," Thompson said. "So, with that class dying down, I just decided to get the late model and try it out."

The move comes with a big investment in time and money. Thompson said he has to work on the car two or three nights a week, which increases if there is an accident or mechanical problems, to prepare the car for weekly racing. Tires for a late model cost $130 apiece and last four races. It was $95 a tire for Thompson's sportsman car. he also said a late model requires performance racing shocks and struts, while traditional ones would suffice last year.

"It's an expensive hobby," Thompson said. "A lot of people have a passion for it and a lot of fun."

He said it is worth every penny.

"It is to me," Thompson said. "I really enjoy it."

Thompson received a little help from his father, Dennis, who owns Hawkeye International Trucks. The company became his major sponsor, helping him grasp the chance to compete in the highest class on the track's half-mile oval. Dennis also contributes as a member of his son's racing team.

"It's really nice having him on the team," Thompson said. "He helps working on the car. It's gotten us close together."

Even though they have always had a strong bond, Thompson said the entire family has rallied around racing. Thompson, one of six siblings and is the only one currently involved in racing, said eight to 10 family members have come out to watch him race on a weekly basis. The sport was a surprising way to "tie everybody" together.

"I didn't think it would bring the entire family together like this," said Thompson, noting his 16-year-old sister, Rachel, has expressed interest in racing and that he would like his daughter or step-daughter to be involved. "It's a side benefit I wasn't expecting."

Thompson wasn't expecting to make the move to the late model class until he proved successful in his former division. Last summer, he finally made a visit to victory lane. On May 28, Thompson edged track champion Andy Duggan by .277 seconds for his first win.

"Always knowing I wanted to get into the late model, I told myself at the beginning I'm not going to do this until I know I can win at least one race in the sportsman car," Thompson said. "Winning that race finally boosted my spirits, I guess, and told me I can do this."

It was his first victory and a strong accomplishment since he jumped right in to a half-mile racing class, bypassing other divisions and working his way up classes that compete on the quarter-mile track. He came to grips with reality quick, however, thinking, like many, that he could win immediately. The drivers and teams are too strong and work hard to refine their craft.

Once he started, he fought some anxiety but that waned as he gained experience.

"It was nerve-racking," Thompson said about his first season. "There were many Fridays during the day your stomach rumbles all day because I was nervous to get out there but it was fun.

"As the years and laps went on, I kept getting more and more comfortable with it."

Thompson, who said he received help over the years from sportsman champions Duggan and Dave McCalla, said he has had talks with late model track champions Johnny Spaw and Tim Plummer. He said Spaw has shared techniques and strategies, learning a lot from the longtime veteran when he served as Thompson's spotter for a race. Plummer, who won the season points title last year in his first full season racing late models, has shared tips.

He would like to claim rookie of the year honors and place among the late model points leaders in his first season.

"I'd also like to finish top five in overall points," Thompson said. "I like to set my goals high, but fairly achievable, too. make myself work to get to them."

Late models, modifieds, sportsmen, hobby stocks, hornets and Legends races will be run full-time. The Legends cars were part-time last season after years away from the track. The sportsman has been restructured.

"We have changed some things up at Hawkeye Downs for the 2011 season. Our classes have been restructured a little bit," Hawkeye Downs Race Promoter Mike Becker said. "I think all this is leading up to a pretty exciting year."

Becker said the year has seen an increase in participation from local businesses for sponsorship. The track was able to add another free admission night, increasing the number to four. The Lil Racer Car Club, which provides activities during races for fans under 14, will return for its second year at the track.

Mitch Swinton started the kids club in 2006, opening chapters at a number of tracks in Eastern Iowa.

"The kids club was great last year," Becker said. "It will be in place in full force. Mitch and the whole gang are really excited for being on board here at Hawkeye Downs."  

The tentative schedule consists of 19 dates, including the Miller 100 on Friday, Aug. 12.