BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
BRISTOL, Tenn. — It’s not often that a six-foot-nine celebrity dines in the Vance Middle School cafeteria, yet Tom Hammonds fit just fine.
The NHRA Pro Stock driver and retired NBA player visited Vance Thursday in conjunction with his Race for Achievement program.
In between answering questions about his basketball exploits, Hammond stressed the importance of education, sportsmanship and leadership.
“This is what it’s all about – giving back and trying to help somebody else,” Hammonds said. “I want to teach these kids that they can achieve anything in life as long as they have faith and are willing to work hard. I love it.”
Hammonds used the example of his life for inspiration. After twice earning All-ACC honors at Georgia Tech, Hammonds earned respect in the NBA for his physical approach and relentless work habits while playing for four teams.
“I didn’t become an NBA player just because of my looks,” Hammonds said. “I competed and worked hard to reach that level. The NHRA is no different.”
With cars separated by thousandths of a second, the NHRA Pro Stock field has often been called the most competitive form of motorsports in America.
While he currently ranks 21st in points and has failed to qualify for five straight races, Hammonds embraces the multifaceted challenge. A total of 27 Pro Stock cars attempted qualifying runs Friday.
“Pro Stock is a competitive class and I’m a competitive person; I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Hammonds said. “We just keep battling every week. The more cars, the better.”
Hammonds came to Bristol Dragway this weekend with a new crew and a recharged attitude.
“It’s just like I tell the kids,” Hammonds said. “You can’t get discouraged. You have to learn from your mistakes.”
In addition to Bristol, Hammonds has taken his message of perseverance and achievement to schools in Houston and Illinois. Vance student Austin Hushhour was actually selected as honorary pit crew member for Hammonds Friday.
School officials at Vance are developing a motorsports program where eligible students can work with a bracket division drag car and engine after school. They can then apply those lessons in math and science classes.
“It’s encouraging to see how the kids here have excelled in the classroom, and we want to give them incentive to do even better,” Hammonds said. “We’d love to be in a situation where we can do our program at every race on the NHRA schedule.”
Like many folks, Hammonds feels drag racing has plenty of room for growth on the local and national level.
“NHRA is just a totally different sport,” Hammonds said. “NASCAR is big, but the fan is kind of on the outside looking in. “
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