Ep. 275 | Dean Thompson

The Racing Writer's Podcast

It’s the second full year of Craftsman Truck Series competition for Dean Thompson but his first in the No. 5 for Tricon Garage. Thompson breaks down how the year has gone; the difference in his progression as a driver; fitting into a new environment at Tricon; being surrounded by people (like Frank Kimmel) who are honest but helpful; ways that Tricon is different from other teams; the benefit of using the Toyota Performance Center; being big into boxing as a hobby; having a very structured schedule; getting started in racing then quitting and the reason why he came back; what the feeling was when getting back behind the wheel; racing across the country with his dad; how a young driver learns in a crazy series like trucks and who to lean on; owner David Gilliland having a drivers background; Tricon Garage letting Thompson be himself; controlling his emotions on camera after a few difficult moments this year; what has become a friendly rivalry with former foe Jesse Love; a fraternity amongst TRD drivers; future aspirations in racing; sharing a love of the (Mighty) Ducks.
Music created by Tony Monge.