Bruce Thomas

Bruce Thomas first fielded cars in the upstart Street Stock division of the 1970’s (that eventually became today’s Late Model division), but is most remembered for becoming the first dominant driver in the 4-cylinder Mini Stock division.

During those Sunday Stocker events in the 1990’s, Bruce and his brother Glen built Mini Stocks out of 4-cylinder Ford Mustangs and won 12 races in the division’s first 4 seasons, including an precedented 6 in 1992. It’s interesting to note that the Mini Stock races were all 50 laps during this era. When the Speedbowl decided to award points & crown a champion for the division, Bruce Thomas won the first 2 Mini Stock Championships in 1991-1992.

The Mini Stocks were then moved to Saturday nights in 1995 and Thomas continued his winning ways. Now driving for car owner Pete Aarsand, Thomas won 22 more races from 1996-2001. His biggest win in this era was the 2000 Mini Stock Finale 50. He won an unprecedented 3rd Mini Stock Championship in 1997. Bruce also finished runner-up to the title in 4 other seasons (1993, 1996, 1998 and 1999).

His son Bruce Thomas Jr drove as his teammate from 1999-2001 and when his son left the division for the Late Models, Bruce Sr largely retired from competition. At the time, nobody had more wins or championships in the Mini Stocks. Bruce’s innovation and success in the Mini Stocks during the early 1990’s is widely recognized as transforming the entire division into a Ford Mustang bodied cars, which it remained well into the next century.

STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

BRUCE THOMAS
SPEEDBOWL PHOTO ALBUM