On April 25, 2026 motorcycle drag racing lost a legendary rider, builder and tuner when Tommy “Tombo” Bolton succumbed to his battle with leukemia. Bolton resided in Choctaw, Oklahoma and built a strong racing legacy there in addition to his roots in Southern California.
Bolton accomplished a great a deal throughout his impressive career. Tombo amassed over 25 championships, built a highly-respected business and secured major sponsors, helping to pave the way for other great African-American motorcycle drag racers like Glen Nickelberry, Rickey Gadson, Reggie Showers, Eddie Murphy and Michael Phillips.
When asked about the greatest achievement of his career, Tombo said becoming the first African American drag bike racer to eclipse 200 mph was at the top of his list.
Bolton’s greatest accomplishment came at the Texas Motorplex in 1990, when Bolton, aboard his turbo-charged, alcohol-burning, Suzuki Funny Bike, became the first African-American dragbike racer to eclipse 200 mph with a 7.18 at 205 mph.
“At the time I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” Bolton said. “My peers were the ones who pointed out how only a few other guys had been over 200 mph and how I was the first African-American to do it. That’s when it sunk in that I accomplished something really special.”…