Tom Hammonds admits taking a sabbatical from the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Pro Stock Series was one of the toughest and best decisions he has had to make.

The former NBA basketball superstar suspended his racing operation in May of this year. He’s returned to competition for two races, the recently completed NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, NC where he qualified No. 8 and reached the quarterfinals, and this weekend's NHRA Fallnationals in Ennis, Texas.

“We’ve really tried to work hard on our sponsorship program,” said Hammonds. “Probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life is trying to secure a sponsorship. I knew that in order to be successful we couldn’t put the cart before the horse; we had to secure our program financially to make sure we can win next year and years down the road. For us to take three or four months off to secure that success that was important.”

Tom Hammonds admits taking a sabbatical from the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Pro Stock Series was one of the toughest and best decisions he has had to make.

The former NBA basketball superstar suspended his racing operation in May of this year. He’s returned to competition for two races, the recently completed NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, NC where he qualified No. 8 and reached the quarterfinals, and this weekend's NHRA Fallnationals in Ennis, Texas.

“We’ve really tried to work hard on our sponsorship program,” said Hammonds. “Probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life is trying to secure a sponsorship. I knew that in order to be successful we couldn’t put the cart before the horse; we had to secure our program financially to make sure we can win next year and years down the road. For us to take three or four months off to secure that success that was important.”

One of the programs Hammonds has cultivated during his time off has been with the United States Marine Corps. He’s carrying their logo on the front fender of his Chevrolet Cobalt, but this relationship transcends a sponsor/car owner relationship.

Hammonds has incorporated the Marines into his Race for Achievement effort, a national school program intended to inspire student achievement.

The off-time enabled Hammonds to immerse himself in the project all the while developing a working relationship with the Marines.

“We’ve been involved with the Marines for about five or six months now and they are really involved with our Race for Achievement program,” said Hammonds.

In the days leading up to the race in Concord, Hammonds visited the Marines at Camp Lejeune. It was an inspirational experience.

“I’ll tell you what Camp Lejeune is no joke … it’s a top notch military facility. They breed nothing but fighting machines at Camp Lejeune. Right as you drive in there it says ‘Welcome to Camp Lejeune’ and then right after that there’s a big sign that says ‘Come to Fight, Come to Win.”

“That’s what America is all about. It really sent chills down my spine.”

Hammonds knows a thing or two about patriotic pride. As a member of the 1986 United States Olympic basketball team, he and his teammates defeated Russia for the gold medal, 87 – 85, in the championship game.

“One of the proudest moments of my life, other than when I got my [college] degree, was I had that chance to fight for my country,” said Hammonds, of the Olympic championship. “That was just a proud, proud moment in my life just getting that Gold Medal from the King of Spain. It made me realize how important it is that our troops are fighting for our country. I was just able to do a little part to bring back some pride to the United States.” 

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