Berlin Speedway in Marne, Mi. could boast of the host of big auto racing names that got their start there, and it continues to draw today. Last year's Late Model drama ended with Tom Thomas getting edged out on points by champ Ross Meeuwsen while trying for a three-peat. Tom's back to back 2006 and 2007 Championships surely were sweet but, "always another mountain to climb describes his never ending drive", according to his brother, and fellow driver, Scott Thomas.
The paths they took into and through the circle track world were different. But, both started on circle tracks in the car their Dad built back in 1990 for fun. Scott says that Tom immediately took to paved short track racing in spite of his first attempts ending in spin outs or worse. "As long as we put in the time and effort to fix the car when it was wrecked, our time and his money was OK with Dad", he chuckled.
When Scott ran his first laps at Berlin, leading the others out of the pits, he stayed out front for about nine or ten laps and began to think, hey this is easy. That is, until the No. 22 blew past him like he was standing still. "When I got back to the pit I asked Dad if Jeff Terrill was driving the same type of car I was when he blew by me with only two hot laps to go." Scott reminisced, "Dad replied that the only reason you led was that you were all over the track and the other drivers didn't want a wreck with you. Jeff couldn't wait any longer". Now, his feature win history in multiple classes has proven Scott to be a fast learner.
He started on a different route than Tom beginning his career on the local quarter mile drag strips. As to why, he says in his usual good natured style, "Buying one set of tires a year instead of every week and not wrecking cars appealed to me". That didn't last forever though as the rest of the family's desires where for oval tracks. Fourteen years after winning his first Sportsman races with the car his father built, Scott got his first Coors Light Late Model feature win last year with crew chief, and one of his best friends, Rob Sloma. Scott says he will never forget the look in Rob's eyes after that win. "We give what we can to racing after work and have a lot of fun doing it, while Tom is driven to succeed consistently. I asked myself how much (in racing) I wanted to achieve, knowing the more I wanted the more it was going to cost, and on top of that I'd need the help of friends. Rob Sloma has given fourteen years without pay to help me achieve all I can."
He's carried that thankful ethic into his work, of the last six years, at Northern Mortgage. He credits his upbringing with the ability to last through the present mortgage crisis while so many others are dropping by the way side. "While many followed the crowd several years ago in doing what ever it took to make money, I worked harder for the same money and didn't take the easy path", he explains. Good choice in hind sight, because he's still standing.
Both Thomas' will be fighting for Late Model Feature wins this year; one in a more serious tone then the other, but behind the wheel their skid marks sound the same.
Look for an upcoming story on Tom as one page is not big enough for the two of them. Come see them on the track Saturday nights to understand.
