Thompson looking for sponsors

One of three. That’s the statistic Ashton Thompson will become if her goal turns into a reality by the end of 2021. The 21-year-old college student is returning to her childhood dreams of driving a racecar and is hoping to secure enough sponsorships to kickstart her career as a Formula 4 racecar driver.

Thompson started racing at the age of six.

When she and her dad, Tyson, were at the Salem Speedway watching a race this past season, she said she told her dad that she would like to start racing again. Her dad was on board, and she quickly got into a Legend Car, which she rented from a guy in Nashville. She finished 18th out of 24 cars in her first race and had a lot of fun.  Phil Pichard with Momentum Motor Sports approached her about racing for him, but told her she’d have to secure $200,000 in sponsorships each year to drive the car.

The large amount of money did not deter her, and she has set to work trying to obtain sponsorships to help her reach her goal.

Thompson said she is on the older side for the sport, with many of the drivers being 14-16 years old. She said this was impressive to her because the cars aren’t easy to drive. “It takes 1,200 pounds of brake pressure to slow the car,” she said, adding that she had never driven a paddle shifter until she got into the car for the first time.

Thompson said her long-term goal is to race an Indy car. “But it’s hard to come into this sport as an older driver!” she said. Regardless of her age, she is up to the challenge!

No matter what happens, Thompson said, “This whole experience has been a dream come true!”
For more information, contact Thompson at thompsonashton23@gmail.com or donate at https://gofund.me/c6fddbe1.

See full story in The Salem Democrat, Oct. 21 edition.