The Northwest drag racing community has lost one of its longtime competitors, car owners and champions with the passing of Tom Turner of Bonney Lake, Washington.

Tom’s involvement in the sport stretched back to the early years of NHRA’s Northwest Division, where he first made his mark behind the wheel competing in Modified and later Super Gas.

As the years progressed, Tom transitioned from driving to becoming a highly successful car owner, putting together an impressive roster of talented drivers. Among those who raced under the Turner banner were Dallas Glenn, Mark Faul, Jeff Lane, Brad Plourd, Tommy Gaynor and others. Together, they amassed an extraordinary collection of race victories and championship titles over the years.

Tom’s accomplishments and lasting contributions to the sport were recognized in 2017 when he was inducted into the NHRA Northwest Division 6 Hall of Fame.

“When you look back over the decades of racing in the Northwest, Tom Turner was one of those names that seemed to always be part of the picture,” reflected Firebird’s Scott New. “Whether he was driving himself or helping others find success behind the wheel, Tom had a remarkable run in our sport. His accomplishments speak for themselves, but perhaps just as importantly, he was part of a generation that helped make Northwest drag racing what it is today. He will certainly be remembered and missed.”

For those of us at Firebird, Tom was part of a generation of racers who helped shape the history and traditions of drag racing throughout the Pacific Northwest. His involvement spanned decades, and his success as both a driver and car owner left a lasting mark on the sport.

We’re sharing two photos from our archives in remembrance of Tom. The first dates back to the 1978 Division 6 awards banquet, celebrating his championship season (Tom is pictured third from the top left). The second captures Tom during a visit to Firebird, joined by Pam Gorman, left, and former NHRA Division 6 Director Jonathan Adams, right, during the 2015 Ignitor-LODRS meet.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tom’s family, friends and the many racers whose lives he touched throughout his remarkable journey in drag racing.

Rest in peace, Tom. Thank you for the memories and the legacy you leave behind.