Mickey Thompson
Southern Californian Thompson began his tremendous career in motorsports in dry lake speed trials with the Russetta Timing Association in 1947. He advanced to the earliest organized drag races and became manager of Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, California in 1956. Although his promotional expertise later led him into stadium racing, he was a champion in land speed record racing, boat racing, oval track racing, and off-road competition as well. His drag racing innovations include the incorporation of breaking parachutes in drag racing, the funny car chassis design still in use today, and streamlining science in both fuel and jet dragsters.