Bruce Thomas Jr was a Speedbowl Champion in two different divisions and became one of the most accomplished stars of the Late Model division in the ACT era that began in the mid-2000’s.
Getting his start in the 4-cylinder Enduros like his father, Bruce Jr won 5 races in the division in the late 1990’s before moving up to the Mini Stock division in 1999 as a team car to his father. He scored a win in his first season and earned Rookie of the Year honors. He won twice more in 2001 enroute to the Mini Stock track title, joining his father on the division’s championship list.
He moved onto the Late Model division and won 7 races from 2003-2006. Then in 2007, he returned with a new ACT-type Late Model (legal in the division since 2003) and dominated the division for 3 straight seasons, winning 12 races in 2007, 10 more in 2008 and another 10 races in 2009, and earning the Late Model Championship all three seasons. He won 4 races in a row in 2007 and a record-tying 5 races in a row in 2009.
Bruce continued to win races in the 2010’s, 21 in total from 2010-2016 and remained a title contender several times, finishing runner-up to the championship in 2011, 2012 and 2014. His lone win in 2015 was particularly memorable as he only competed in one feature that year and took down the victory to extended his streak to 13 straight seasons with a win. His last win came in 2018.
Bruce Thomas Jr drove for car owner Pete Aarsand his entire Speedbowl career in Mini Stocks & Late Models. He won the five 50 lap races and four 100 lappers. Known for his expert chassis & set-up knowledge, Bruce helped many competitors set-up their cars with successful results in several of the Speedbowl’s fendered divisions both during and after his career as a competitor.
STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT
| TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2001 Mini Stock |
| 2007-2009 Late Model | |
| CAREER WINS | 69 – (61) Late Model, (3) Mini Stock, (5) 4-cylinder Enduro |
| SPEEDBOWL RECORDS | 61 Late Model wins in the ACT era (2003-present) |
| 3 consecutive Late Model Championships (tied with Phil Rondeau) | |
| 5 consecutive Late Model wins (tied with Phil Rondeau) | |
| 3 consecutive season with 10 or more Late Model wins (tied with Phil Rondeau & Keith Rocco) | |
| 14 consecutive seasons with a Late Model win (tied with Jason Palmer) | |
| OTHER NOTABLE STATS | won a Late Model race in 15 different seasons |
| won all 3 Speedbowl Triple Crown races in Late Model | |
| AWARDS & HONORS | 1999 Mini Stock Rookie of the Year |
| 2007 Late Model Most Popular Driver | |
| 2008 Late Model Most Popular Driver | |
| 2008 Late Model Pit Crew of the Year | |
| 2014 Late Model Pit Crew of the Year |
BRUCE THOMAS JR
SPEEDBOWL PHOTO ALBUM
