In 2021, the JEGS ET Series Sportsman class saw a classic points battle featuring a veteran versus a rookie.  It was veteran Dana Thompson, a multi-time Sportsman Champion, dueling all season long with rookie, Hunter Wolfe, the defending Division 3 High School Champion.  The championship came down to the final day of the season with Dana Thompson taking home the JEGS ET Series Sportsman Championship.

The season started a little slow for Dana as he had made some changes to his car and he was still working out the tweaks at the beginning of the season.  But in June, the car and driver finally clicked, and Dana was able to go to the semi-finals on June 12th and then went 3 rounds on June 13th.  When July came rolling around Thompson was still chasing Hunter Wolfe who was leading the points.  The July 24th event Dana took home the win and since it was also the NHRA.tv Challenge race, he picked up the NHRA Wally as well.  Over the next couple of races Dana went a couple of rounds at each event but was still trailing Wolfe in the standings.  With only a few races left in the season, Dana knew he needed to make up some rounds and he did so on August 21st and 22nd, Thompson was able to make up 41 points.  That 41 points put Dana in first place going into the final weekend of points racing.  Thompson unfortunately bowed out in the first round on Saturday, September 25th, allowing Hunter to take the points lead back. The championship came down to Sunday, September 26th, Hunter lost 1st round and Thompson knew he needed to go to the 4th round to clinch the championship.  Thompson defeated Jack Eppley in the 1st round, Shawn Pitts in the 2nd round and defeated Ernie Brown in the 3rd round to win his 4th JEGS ET Series Sportsman championship since 2009.

“What a season, I want to thank my wife and crew chief Becky for all her love and support this season, also our son Eric for his positive attitude.  I also want to thank the Kincaids, Altenbachs, Rebichs and Tom Fredericks for their help this season.  Also thank you to my great sponsors, Ohio Radon Mitigation, Batteries Unlimited, Lucas Oil Products, Mickey Thompson and Geddex cause without their support I wouldn’t be able to compete,” said Dana. “Winning a championship is always a great accomplishment and this year was another great one, it really means a lot to both Becky and I as it shows we are able to achieve our racing goals and be able to do it as a team.”

Next year Dana and his team plan on defending his championship and try to win the Pro championship as well.

Congrats to Dana Thompson the 2021 JEGS ET Series Sportsman Champion.