When the team at Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels wants to remind themselves why they’re so passionate about building products for racers, they head to Norwalk, Ohio, for their annual Dragster Adventure Challenge immersive experience with Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, where they strap into dragsters and feel the fun of blasting down the dragstrip.
The event, a cornerstone of the partnership between the two iconic brands as Mickey Thompson has been the official tire supplier of Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School for more than twenty years, is designed to forge deeper connections and a more profound understanding of the motorsports world that is central to Mickey Thompson’s identity.
On July 15, 2025, Mickey Thompson brought 16 lucky racers to Summit Motorsports Park. The group included corporate executives, blue-collar workers, and everyone in between, and each participant had the chance to climb into a dragster and cover the quarter-mile in roughly 10 seconds at speeds exceeding 125 mph. For many, it was their first real taste of drag racing, but for all, the thrill of the experience left a lasting impression.
“This year was exciting because we had a great mixture of customers, employees, and special guests,” said Jason Moulton, Mickey Thompson’s Director of Motorsports. “For me, it’s fun watching everyone’s reactions after they come back from making their first pass.”
For both businesses, the event also serves as a crucial research and development platform. “Our relationship with the school has always been a great partnership,” Moulton explained. “We get excellent feedback from the consistent runs they put on our tires. If we want to try something new, or we’re looking for data on consistency and longevity, we know we can reach out to Frank Hawley’s for that feedback which helps us improve our products.”
While the day was filled with learning and team-building, the competitive spirit revved up during the Dragster Adventure Challenge, where racers go head-to-head in an eliminator-style competition. In a stunning turn of events, the day’s champion was a first-time racer: 24-year-old Andrew Magyar. A recent mechanical engineering graduate, Andrew attended as a birthday gift from his father, James Magyar, a salesman for Mickey Thompson.
“Driving for the first time was terrifying but exciting. I didn’t know how fast it would go or if I’d have the ability to control it and stay straight,” admitted Magyar, who had never gone so fast before. However, this is where the expertise and guidance of Frank Hawley and his team proved essential. “Frank made me feel really safe. He stopped me after my second attempt and had me do another half-track pass, and I’m glad he did. Learning the little things, like the burnout and staging, helped a ton.”
After getting a handle on things, Magyar got competitive and his motivation was simple but powerful: “I realized if I lost, I’d have to stop driving. So, I kept trying to win just so I could keep driving the dragster!”
In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, however, Magyar’s first-round opponent was none other than Mickey Thompson’s president, John Bodart. Magyar took the win, unaware of his opponent’s identity until after the race. Throughout each subsequent round, he took Hawley’s coaching to heart and made his way through to the finals. “Frank said, ‘If you keep winning, don’t change anything at the last second. Just do what you do.’ And it worked well. I was super surprised to win!” proclaimed Magyar.
Meanwhile, for Bodart, the experience was equally impactful, despite the first-round exit. “I’ve done many ‘hands-on’ driving experiences in my career, and this was the best overall experience I’ve had,” Bodart stated. “I was blown away by the adrenaline rush, too. The acceleration you feel with the dragster and the Mickey Thompson tires was exhilarating. Now I know why people love drag racing!” Also a first-time drag racer, Bodart especially appreciated how well-organized the competition was.
“We’ve had a great partnership with Mickey Thompson for more than two decades, and their tires have been an essential part of giving our students a safe, consistent, and exciting experience on the dragstrip,” added Frank Hawley, founder of the school. “Watching Andrew adapt so quickly and drive with such composure on his very first outing was impressive—he showed the kind of focus and determination it takes to succeed.”
Both Bodart and Magyar, as well as the rest who participated in Mickey Thompson’s corporate day at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, learned lessons that are equally applicable on the track and in life. “Being in a hurry is a state of mind. You need to go slow to go fast,” shared Bodart. Magyar agreed, saying, “Take a breath before you gun it. Don’t tense up; the looser you are, the better things will be.”
“Events like this connect us,” Moulton added. “They remind us why we do what we do and why it matters. Tires aren’t just round pieces of rubber. They’re what keep you safe, what helps you go faster, and what makes moments like these possible. When you feel that kind of acceleration and excitement firsthand, you understand the passion that drives us every day.”
As the event wrapped up, Magyar was awarded his trophy, but the true victory was shared by all. Mickey Thompson successfully reinforced its culture of passion, connected its people to the company’s core mission, strengthened its industry relationships, and provided a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, proving that the fastest way to build a team is one quarter-mile at a time.
This story was originally published on August 25, 2025. 
The post Mickey Thompson’s Team Straps in to Drive Dragsters at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School first appeared on Drag Illustrated.