MATT THOMAS COMING OF AGE IN THE PRO STOCKS AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY
by Brian Spaid

May 11, 2007

   As fast as Matt Thomas races, it was the perfect starting spot last Sunday night at Tri-City Speedway. Driving his Chevrolet No. 54, Thomas was on the pole position for the 15-lap Pro Stock feature. On the opening lap, however, Stoneboro star Andy Buckley vaulted into the lead. Thomas put up a valiant fight and finished seventh at the checkered flag.

   For Thomas, 27, it was a good night, but it could have been much better.

   “I had too much wedge,” said Thomas about his ill handling race car. “I need a little bit more experience on and off the track, and I need to learn how to make the right calls because I’m my own crew chief.”

   Now in his fifth season of Pro Stock competition at Tri-City, Thomas competes on as low a budget as possible and has steadily climbed his way to the front of the field. The burly Grand Valley racer is proud of his accomplishments and cannot wait to taste a feature victory.

   “I’m getting better,” said Thomas. “I get some help from my father, Bruce, who’s there each week. Also (E Mod racer) Arthur Edwards and my uncle, (Thundercar racer) Bill Winters, help me out a lot.”

   Thomas, who now works as a gas well driller, was bit by the racing bug shortly after Tri-City reopened in 1996 after being closed for nine seasons.

   “My grandfather took me to my first race back then. I got to helping Dean and Gale Ruth on their race cars. Dean even let me drive his car in hot laps one time. That pretty much did it.”

   Although he hot lapped an E Mod, Thomas opted for a more affordable option with the Pro Stocks. So, in 2003, a new race team arrived at Tri-City.

   “I found out that (Pro Stock driver) Jason Reagle had an old car for sale, and it was within my price range with a trailer. Racing the Pro Stocks was a lower division that I could afford.”

   Although Thomas gained racing experience, the car was clearly not the fastest on the Venango County half-mile oval. In 2005, after a particularly frustrating night, Thomas was done.

   “I made up mind. I came into the pit area and I was mad. I said I was not driving that piece of junk again. It was getting old and worn out. I wanted a brand new car.”

   So, Thomas found another car and took it to former Tri-City Late Model champion Robbie Blair of Titusville. Blair, who also owns a speed shop out of which he constructs Pro Stock chassis, built him a new car.

   “Robbie did a good job,” smiled Thomas. “Last year, I got the car about a week before the season began. I was thrilled with the way it worked and it gave me a lot more confidence. I feel real comfortable the way the car sets in a corner, and I never felt this confident in a car before. I’m still working on setups, which is where it’s at in this class.”

   Thomas gets some advice from his fellow racers and car owners, like two-time Applefest 100 winner and 2000 track champion, Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, and 2005 champion car owner Ken Humanic of Titusville. The camaraderie of the Pro Stock teams makes it easy for them to share information.

   “One thing I don’t worry about is the engine,” said Thomas. “When I had my first car, it had a Coursen Racing Engine in it. Jim Coursen of Emlenton freshened that first engine for me. After I bought the car, I ran about six races because I didn’t the money to get the engine looked at.  Jim helped me out that first offseason, and I’ve continued to use him ever since. I’ve never lost an engine with Jim.”

   With a new car under him, Thomas excelled in 2006. He won two heat races and earned two third place feature finishes. He placed ninth in the points as well. This season, after two races, he sits fourth in the point standings.

   “I’m really excited about this year. I think we can do real well. I just have to thank a lot of people from my family to fellow team members, and especially my grandfather, Henry Winters. I used to actually help him run a push truck at Tri-City. He helped me get hooked on racing, and I love it.”

   The sponsors on Thomas’ car include Gil Dahlstrom Iron & Metal of Oil City, Ken Humanic Racing of Titusville, and Coursen Racing Engines of Emlenton.