ALLSTAR: MW: Series profile - Tyler Thompson

Thompson Makes Adjustments, Ready For O'Reilly Midwest All Star Action

Tyler Thompson has become a staple name among Midwest racing for four years. The man who calls Cape Girardeau, Missouri home has been racing against some of the best Midwest competition with the purpose of challenging himself and team to make them a strong, more recognizable force.

Thompson garnered a Top 10 finish with the O'Reilly Midwest All Star Series in 2007 as the team battled all season long, while only missing one event. But Thompson is not resting on the 8th place trophy he took home for his season efforts, he is looking to build.

"We have made some positive changes with the TSE (Thompson & Son Enterprises) team. We have hired one of the best crew chiefs in the business over the off-season - Donnie Cooper," Tyler stated.

The 2007 season was a learning experience as the team fought some early season woes, but kept pushing towards success. The 2007 campaign was also the team's first full season of racing in the 410 ranks after racing in a traveling series with their 360 program previously and learning as they traveled.

"We are looking at making improvements to a lot of different areas of the program. We did alright qualifying and racing in the heat races in '07, but we seemed to miss things when it came to the feature," Thompson added. "This year we are looking to become more solid each night out in every aspect of an event."

The adjustments began in the off-season, as mentioned previously, by hiring top wrench Donnie Cooper. Cooper's addition to the team will bring a new effort and level of success for the young superstar.

Additional support for the team comes from the hard work and dedication of a couple of other individuals. Thompson adds that the support he has gained from his father, Paul Thompson, and Jack Trickey adds to his desire to perform well.

The popular TSE #11 boasts sponsorship in 2008 from USMD Medical Development based in Dallas, Texas; Cenegenics Medical Institute of Ft. Worth, Texas; Bel Aire Grille and Velocity Electronics both of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Fire Down Graphics and Cooper Racing round out the advertising for the team.

"We weren't very happy finishing the season in 8th, but we are going to build on that and improve this year," Thompson states. "As a team, we feel that we can be a Top 3 car by the time the season is over."

Continue to keep track of this young Midwest superstar as he takes on the "Best of the Midwest" all season long with the O'Reilly Midwest All Star Series by logging on to www.midwestallstarseries.com.

-credit: mwass