ST. GEORGE — A family tradition of drag racing produced its first champion last week when Tanner Theobald claimed the trophy for his racing division.
Theobald won the National Hot Rod Association’s Division 7 Super Comp Eliminator Class Championship. An awards banquet honoring Theobald and other champions was held Dec. 10 at the Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Tanner is our 2016 NHRA Pacific Division Super Comp Champion,” National Hot Rod Association Pacific Division Director Mike Rice said.
Theobald has been racing since his father introduced him to the sport when he was 8 years old. Now 23, last week’s win represents his first championship.
“It’s definitely a family affair,” Theobald said.
Theobald’s brothers are also avid racers, and the family has participated in numerous races over the years.
Before the St. George Regional Airport was built, Theobald and his family practiced on a racing strip in the area. These days, he frequently travels to Las Vegas for practice and races.
No stranger to travel, the Pacific Division circuit brought Theobald to tracks all over the west, including races in Oregon, California and Nevada.
Super comp dragsters are designed lightweight to facilitate high speeds. Competitors zoom through races going hundreds of miles per hour.
Established in 1951, the National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body that promotes racing events throughout North America.
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Tanner Theobald's dragster is prepared for racing, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Tanner Theobald, St. George News
Tanner Theobald's dragster is prepared for racing, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Tanner Theobald, St. George News
Parker Theobald races in his Super Comp Eliminator Class dragster, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Tanner Theobald, St. George News
Guests participate in the National Hot Rod Association’s championship awards banquet, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 10, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Tanner Theobald, St. George News
Tanner Theobald with friends and family at the awards banquet for Theobald's National Hot Rod Association’s Division 7 Super Comp Eliminator Class champtionship, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 10, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Tanner Theobald, St. George News
L-R: Brothers Travis Theobald, Tanner Theobald and Parker Theobald pose with Tanner Theobald's championship trophy for the National Hot Rod Association’s Division 7 Super Comp Eliminator Class, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 10, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Tanner Theobald, St. George News
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Very impressive! Congratulations.
This is absolutely fantastic news and I’m sure this will result in a positive reaction from the community and I would like to thank all those involved in making this possible.
Maybe you could get a job in their pit crew.