Ed Pompa

Ed Pompa Bio

Ed Pompa (born December 14, 1962) is an American professional stock car racing driver. A longtime part-time competitor, he has spent most of his career running selected ARCA Menards Series events for Fast Track Racing in the No. 10 Ford. Best known for his consistency at superspeedways and his charitable work off the track, Pompa has carved out a respected niche in the second tier of American stock car racing.

Early Life and Background

Ed Pompa was born on December 14, 1962, in Ballston Spa, New York. Growing up in upstate New York, he developed an early interest in motorsports, eventually channeling that passion into a career in stock car racing. Ballston Spa, a small community north of Albany, provided a familiar setting for a driver who would later travel the country competing at some of the most recognizable ovals in North America.

Before turning to professional racing, Pompa built his foundation as a grassroots competitor, sharpening his skills at regional tracks before deciding to test himself against national-level competition. His path into the sport was self-driven, and he entered the professional ranks later in life, bringing years of local racing experience with him.

Path to NASCAR

Pompa did not follow the traditional ladder system through NASCAR’s national touring series. Instead, his professional path led him directly into the ARCA Re/Max Series, the long-established development tour that frequently shares race weekends with the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2006, he made his ARCA debut at Pocono Raceway, finishing 25th while driving a Pontiac for Andy Belmont Racing.

From that first Pennsylvania 200 onward, Pompa became a familiar face in the ARCA garage. Rather than chasing a full-time ride, he carved out a schedule built around select starts each season, partnering with multiple teams over the years. That approach allowed him to race at premier venues while balancing life beyond the track.

Ed Pompa Career

Early Career (2006–2009)

Pompa began his professional career in 2006 with Andy Belmont Racing at Pocono Raceway, where he finished 25th in his ARCA Re/Max Series debut. The result was modest, but it established him as a regular in the series for years to come. He used those early seasons to learn the rhythms of stock car racing at the national level, gradually improving his lap times and race craft with each outing.

By 2008, Pompa transitioned into a working relationship with Fast Track Racing, the team that would become his primary home for the next decade and beyond. He ran a limited schedule through 2009, gaining valuable experience at a variety of track types, from short ovals to intermediate speedways.

ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2010–2018)

Pompa’s first significant setback came in 2010 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, where handling issues forced his first retirement from a race. The DNF was a learning moment, and Pompa responded by steadily improving his results across the following seasons. His best overall season came in 2016, when he finished 14th in the ARCA Menards Series points standings, a career-high for the part-time competitor.

One of the more memorable moments of this stretch came in 2017, when Pompa ran a special Clemson Tigers paint scheme on his car. The scheme honored Fast Track Racing after the team won the 2017 ARCA championship, and Pompa secured the design after personally reaching out to Clemson University president James P. Clements. The following year, he suffered his first DNF at Pocono Raceway, crashing out of the opening Pocono race in 2018 on lap 57.

Fast Track Racing Era (2019–Present)

Throughout the late 2010s and into the 2020s, Pompa continued his part-time arrangement with Fast Track Racing, piloting the No. 10 entry at select ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East events. His familiarity with the team and its crew allowed him to consistently qualify and finish in the top ten, even while juggling a limited schedule.

In addition to his main-series starts, Pompa branched into the ARCA Menards Series East, a regional companion tour. He made his East Series debut in 2020 at Dover International Speedway and has continued to run select East Series races since, with his most recent East Series start coming at Dover in 2024. Across his time in the East Series, he has posted four top-ten finishes without a victory.

Notable Races and Milestones

Pocono Raceway holds a special place in Pompa’s career. He made his very first ARCA start at the 2.5-mile triangular oval in 2006, and it has remained a regular stop on his schedule ever since. His 2026 ARCA entry, the Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 at Pocono, marked another chapter in that long-running relationship with the venue.

Ed Pompa Career Wins

Ed Pompa has built his reputation on consistency rather than victory lane celebrations. Across his ARCA Menards Series career, he has recorded zero wins but has posted three top-ten finishes, with a best points result of 14th in 2016. In the ARCA Menards Series East, he has similarly avoided the win column, yet his four top-ten results reflect steady performance in a competitive field.

ARCA Menards Series Highlights

Since his 2006 debut at Pocono, Pompa has been a fixture of the ARCA Menards Series garage. His career-best points finish came in 2016, when his top-ten runs were enough to secure 14th in the final standings. Although he has not yet reached victory lane in the main ARCA tour, his longevity and willingness to race at premier venues have made him a respected veteran.

ARCA Menards Series East Highlights

In the ARCA Menards Series East, Pompa has been a part-time entrant since 2020. His best East Series result was a 39th-place points finish in 2020, and he has since added four top-ten finishes across his limited schedule. His East Series activity has typically been tied to events shared with the main ARCA Menards Series tour, particularly at Dover International Speedway.

Ed Pompa Family

Personal Life

Beyond racing, Ed Pompa is a committed supporter of the Double H Ranch, a residential camp in upstate New York that serves children with life-threatening illnesses. In 2015, the organization reported that Pompa had raised approximately $140,000 for the camp through his racing efforts. His fundraising work has become one of the defining elements of his public identity as a driver.

Pompa has a son, who graduated from Clemson University in 2012. The Clemson connection later influenced his 2017 paint scheme, which was designed to honor both the university and the championship-winning Fast Track Racing team.

2025 Season Performance

Entering 2025, Ed Pompa continued his long-standing partnership with Fast Track Racing, fielding the No. 10 Ford in selected ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East events. As a part-time driver, his season was built around quality over quantity, focusing on race weekends where track characteristics suited his experience. His schedule once again featured a strong presence at superspeedways, including his familiar haunts at Pocono Raceway.

Pompa’s 2025 efforts were measured by consistency and clean finishes rather than headline results. Working alongside the Fast Track Racing crew, he aimed to add to his growing list of top-ten finishes while maintaining the steady pace that has defined his career. The combination of team familiarity and a veteran driver’s perspective kept him competitive against younger full-time rivals.

Looking ahead within the 2025 calendar, Pompa’s outlook centered on enjoying the racing, supporting his charitable causes, and adding more strong results at tracks he knows best. With decades of experience and a loyal team behind him, he remained a respected and dependable presence in the ARCA garage throughout the season.