NHRA Funny Car Driver, Tripp Shumake

Born James William Shumake III, Tripp got the name from his mother as the triple James in the family. Whether behind the wheel of a Funny Car, flying a plane, or riding his Harley he lived for a thrill and always brought his family along for the ride. 

Tripp’s racing career began in the late 1960s. He raced Chuck Forstie’s Corvette to numerous wins at Beeline Raceway. In 1971, he went on tour with Funny Car racer Dickie Harrell and was soon working and driving for Connie Kalitta.

His claim to fame, and the cars he loved to race, were the Phoenix-based teams like Dennis Fowler’s Sundance Funny Car, John Powers’ Powers Steel Funny Car, John Aleman’s Sheepherder fuel altered and Johnny Loper’s Little Hoss. He was an original pilot of the In-N-Out Burger Funny Car and finished his career in the 80’s driving for good friend and Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer in the Chief Auto Parts Funny Car.

Tripp was a member of the Cragar Five-Second Club. He also was the fourth man in history to drive a Funny Car over 250 mph. Tripp was inducted into the Arizona Racing Hall of Fame in 1996.

Later in his career, Tripp was a color commentator for NHRA at the national event in Phoenix each year. He was a hometown hero and was always gracious with his fans.

Tripp was killed in a wrong way accident on a sunny Saturday morning while riding his motorcycle after breakfast with his best friends.