Shelby Thurman: A Passion for Drag Racing that Runs Deep

This week’s DragChamp Jr. Racer Spotlight is all about Tennessee’s own, Shelby Thurman. Read to find out more about her family, future goals, and role models within the sport.

GALLATIN, TN- With racing running deep in her family, Shelby Thurman always knew she would one day find her spot in the driver’s seat. Now, 8 years later, and she has truly made a name for herself in the drag racing world. This past year, she was a weekly contender for our DragChamp Junior Top 10 lists and often found herself among the Top 5. She recently placed 4th in our 2020 DragChamp Jr. Racer of the Year list and soon I’m sure we will be adding her to our “Big Car” Top 10 lists as well.

Thurman started racing when she was 7 years old in a Junior Dragster after getting introduced to the sport by her dad, Steve Thurman. Her dad has always worked within the automotive business which means he often worked on race cars as well. Her grandpa raced a Mustang back in the day which is how her dad got introduced to the sport.

Junior Dragsters to Big Cars

Her first Junior Dragster was built by Jegs and ran 12.90s with a Biggs and Stratton on board. They had that car for 2 years, and travelled to races like the Eastern Conference Finals, the South East Jr Dragster Series, and raced at their local track. Once her dad noticed how serious she took the sport, he decided to upgrade her ride. The car she currently has is a 2009 Halfscale with an S&W Powersports motor. She runs 7.80s with that motor but likes to run 8.00s at 82 MPH.

She has been running the Junior Dragster class for the past 8 years and has recently gotten her feet wet in the No Box class. In November 2020, she raced her S10 in her first No Box race. She ended up getting down to 16 cars while putting out some of the hottest No Box racers around. Needless to say, we will be seeing much more from this girl.

Besides her driving duties, Shelby also helps out with her Junior Dragster. She can do all of the basic maintenance items such as changing the oil, taking the clutch and carburetor apart. After her runs, she is responsible for cleaning and scraping her tires, cleaning the belt and clutch along with the rollers. She also makes sure to put her tire covers on, fuel the car up, and check her tires in the lanes.

Favorite Win and Bucket List

The win that Thurman is most proud of would have to be the Dream Team. They went back-to-back with the same exact team, and in 2020, she didn’t lose a round of the race.

In the future, Shelby would like to win one of the biggest Junior races, like the Eastern Conference Finals or the IHRA Bracket Finals in Memphis. She would like to gain more sponsors and get her name out there more. She would also like to be better than her dad when she starts racing Super Pro.

Biggest Impact & Role Models

There are many people who have contributed to Shelby’s success over the years. Her dad has taught her everything she needs to know, like how to drive the stripe, cut a good light, work on her car, and how to respect others. Her mom has also helped by giving pep talks, taking care of everyone, helping out with car and mostly never giving up on her.

Courtney Russel is another person who has made a big impact on Shelby. She always told her that she would be a “professional badass” one day, Courtney was always there for her when she felt like she couldn’t do something, she’d give her a talk and Shelby would do it good. Edmond and Scotty Richardson also taught her how to focus on the tree and when to start whomping whenever she is coming up on someone. 

The person that Shelby look up to the most is Erica Enders Steven. She met her once at the PRI show and it was a dream come true. Thurman hopes to one day have the talent and skills that Erica has. Whenever she ages out of Junior Dragsters, she wants to drive a Pro Stock car and win like Erica does. Shelby wants younger kids to be able to look up at her the way she has looked up at Erica over the years.

Giving Thanks

A lot of hard work goes into the sport of drag racing and Shelby recognizes that. She would like to thank her parents for putting in a lot of that hardworking and money in order for her to participate in this sport. She says, I know I don’t thank them enough but I’m truly thankful for all of this. I also want to thank God, every pass I make I pray before. I give all my glory to him, he helps me with everything”.

Advice for the Next Generation

The advice Shelby would give to younger kids looking to be successful in the sport is, “racing is not an easy sport, you’re not going to win everything, but also not lose everything. Practice makes perfect, never get mad at your parents, never take it out on yourself. The more you race the better you will become and the more you will learn”.

Shelby’s Accomplishments

• 2x Dream Team Champion
• Beat a door car and motorcycle in her Jr.
• 2x wally winner
• Ironman Winner
• Won every Jr race for the Mississippi Madness
• Numerous wins at Huntsville Dragway
• 2nd in Points at Music City
• 2nd in Points at Huntsville Dragway
• In 2020, she won 8 weeks in a row at 8 different tracks which include Music City Raceway, Beech Bend Raceway, Holly Springs, US 43,Huntsville Dragway, Memphis Dragway, Buffalo Valley, and Clay City.
• Drag Champ Top 10 Contender almost every week
• FTI Farm Team Member

Shelby’s Q&A

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

I don’t like seeing anyone in the lane next to me,every racer I have raced is good. If I’m scared to race someone I basically have lost the race already, you can’t let anyone get in your head.

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

 The hardest part in racing for me is racing the little kids that are new. Since I’ve been racing for a while I know what I’m doing, but whenever a little kid gets sad because I beat them or they didn’t win just hurts my heart.

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

What I enjoy most about racing is the memories. I have made so many memories and good friends. I also like getting the “bragging” right whenever I win something big, it’s nice. 

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I hate to lose if it was my fault, if I knew I could’ve won but gave it back, makes me kind of angry, I don’t like to show it though. I also love winning if it was a good clean race with an opponent to race me. 

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

I’m better at the finish line because if I know that I was late I can do my job at the end, I like to think I’m good at both though. 

Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?

During my free time I like working with my dad sometimes,I hangout with some of my friends that I race with, and I like playing video games sometimes. I make sure my school work is good before I do all these things because if it isn’t, I can’t race. 

Favorite movie or TV show?

My favorite TV show is Henry Danger on Netflix. I basically binge watched it, it’s very funny and cool to watch. 

Favorite music, artist?

I don’t have a favorite song or artist,it just depends on my mood to what I listen to. If I’m racing I like to listen to pump music like PJ North,at school I’ll listen to music that is soothing and calm. 

Where do you spend the most time on the internet?

I spend most of my time on TikTok, I like learning new dances and watching others too. I also Snapchat people a lot too. 

What is your favorite sport?  Favorite team?

My favorite sport is football,and my favorite team is the Tennessee Titans. My whole family on my dad’s side are Titan fans. I also like college basketball and my favorite team are the Kentucky Wildcats. My mom’s side likes them too. 

Name one thing most people don’t know about you?

One thing many people don’t know about me is that I use to do beauty pageants. I did them once a year and would do pretty good. I also use to do Ballet and play soccer.

What’s your favorite thing to eat? 

I love to eat Chick Fil A, I love anything there,but I mostly eat the nuggets or wraps. Zaxby’s Nibblers is another thing I love to eat. My favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse, I love the steak there. After a long day of racing, Waffle House is the best place to eat. 

For more DragChamp Jr. Spotlights, click here, here, and here.