The Mickey Thompson brand is practically synonymous with drag racing, as its relentless innovation led to the development of performance tires that not only changed the motorsports world, but also helped shape it, too. The iconic Mickey Thompson logo itself can be seen at tracks all over the world, but in the United States, it can also be seen splashed across the company's multiple trailers that offer on-site service and support to racers involved in varying types of racing including every NMRA and NMCA event. The team working within the rigs, though, is the true key to M/T's success as well as the success of its racers. Our guys love going to races and being around the racers, it's in their blood. When they go to the track, it's more than just a job they want to be as successful as the racers, and they want them to win, said Jason Moulton, Director of Motorsports at Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels. We get jut as anxious as they do when they get ready to make a run on our rubber. On just about any given weekend, Mickey Thompson's support staff can be found somewhere in the country. Three Ohio-based support rigs, and two based in California, provide complete coast-to-coast coverage across a plethora of performance events including drag racing, road racing, off-road events, large car shows, and more. During the week, the rigs are returned to their home bases to be restocked with inventory before heading back out on the road to their next destinations. It's a labor intensive and never-ending cycle, but the team involved loves what they do and are fueled by a passion for providing the best customer service and support in the industry. Along with on-site tire sales, Mickey Thompson's team provides participants with expert mounting and balancing, inspection, tips on how to get the best performance out of the products, and more. We're also there for visual observation on the racetrack if a racer has a question, Moulton added. We often go up to the starting line so we can visually see what's going on instead of tying to troubleshoot over the phone. As the face-to-face interaction with the Mickey Thompson team is generally done under the stress and pressure of trying to make the next call to the lanes, the next qualifier or elimination round, or some other hurried scenario, it can be tough to get to know the people behind the scenes. The dedicated personnel who keep things rolling have decades of experience and we sat down with four of Mickey Thompson's lead professionals to get to know them a bit better beyond the racing rubber. Mike Judson 1. What's your favorite tip for racers with regards to improving tire performance It's important to keep the correct air pressure in the tires in regards to track conditions, and regularly swapping sides. 2. What's your key strength as a M/T team member when it comes to helping at the track My years of experience doing race tires and working with a large variety of race vehicles from bracket cars, to Pro Mod, TA/FC, Top Fuel Harley and more. 3. What's your favorite part about going to the track The people and relationships that I've built over the years. 4. What's your personal racing history Out of high school, my best friend and I hopped up our own cars from a 70 Chevelle with a big-block V-8 Vega to my own 69 LeMans that was a high 11-second street car. I also built and raced my own front-engine dragster from 88- 90 using mostly from swap meet parts since I couldn't afford many new parts. That car ran a best of 8.95 at 145 mph with a small-block Chevy. 5. What's one unusual fact about you, or hobby you enjoy, other than racing I enjoy building model cars and also riding either my Harley or my hot rod street bike. Chris Osman 1. What's your favorite tip for racers with regards to improving tire performance It's hard to pick one tip for tire performance with so many applications between bias-ply and radial tires, so, my best tip is to contact Mickey Thompson with any performance questions you may have! 2. What's your key strength as an M/T team member when it comes to helping at the track I'm a problem solver. If a racer has a problem at the track (even if it's not tire-related) I'll try to help solve the problem if they need me to. 3. What's your favorite part about going to the track Seeing and working with our customers. Our customers are like extended family throughout the country. I enjoy having the ability to see them in different parts of the country and help anyway I can. 4. What's your personal racing history Growing up, one of my friends and his father were involved in road course racing. His father ran a 66 Corvette in a modified class, and I would go with their family through the summers to help at the events. Personally, I race to the dinner table to ensure I'm not going hungry. 5. What's one unusual fact about you, or hobby you enjoy, other than racing I rode bulls competitively for fun in my 20s. (That means I wasn't great at it.) Now, my hobbies are riding my motorcycle and snowboarding. Jeff Farber 1. What's your favorite tip for racers with regards to improving tire performance Huge burnouts are not required! 2. What's your key strength as a M/T team member when it comes to helping at the track Having a good rapport with the racers. I like to see them succeed. 3. What's your favorite part about going to the track Seeing everyone is always great. It's like a huge family and it's always great to catch up. 4. What's your personal racing history I grew up racing quads and my grandfather and my dad raced cars. Then, as I reached driving age, I thought I was Mr. Amazing doing some racing on the streets of Mexico. 5. What's one unusual fact about you, or hobby you enjoy, other than racing I have many, but I would have to say hunting. Colton Ferguson 1. What's your favorite tip for racers with regards to improving tire performance Rotating sides on a bias slick increases the life of the tire. 2. What's your key strength as a M/T team member when it comes to helping at the track Mounting tires. 3. What's your favorite part about going to the track Being away from home. 4. What's your personal racing history None. 5. What's one unusual fact about you, or hobby you enjoy, other than racing Fishing. Next time you're at the track and see the Mickey Thompson support trailer, stop by to say hello the hard-working guys who are committed to making sure your tires give you the best run possible.