Johnny Thomas – Blairsville, GA – Johnny Thomas had a passion for racing and, at the age of 17, competed and won his first race in Gilmer County, GA. This solidified a lifelong love for dirt track racing.
With more than 250 feature wins as well as track records set, it was obvious Thomas would be viable competition in the dirt track racing world.
Although he was a big contender in tracks around the southeast, gaining wins and track records from tracks like Cleveland Speedway but Thomas’s heart truly lies in the dirt tracks of Georgia.
North Georgia’s Sugar Creek Raceway and Rome Speedway were by and large where tracks Thomas dominated.
In 1981, Thomas’s season at Cleveland Speedway had him finishing with 17 feature wins as well as a track record. He was also named runner-up for the Most Popular Driver as well further proving the love and respect from fans as well as fellow drivers.
The peak of Thomas’s career was in 1987 when he won two NASCAR Winston Racing Series championships.
In his career, Thomas competed against many hall of famers (like Buck Simmons and C. L. Pritchett), other notable drivers (Ronnie Johnson and Mike Duvall) and driving for many owners as well (Anderson Builders, Callahan & Sons Trucking, Clements Engines, Alvin Ledford Racing and Coulter Racing).
In 1977, Thomas took over operations at Tri-County Racetrack (NC) allowing drivers to have a place to develop their skills. Thomas added Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) to his impressive resume in 1985 as he rebuilt and revitalized the venue for its future and continuation in the sport. On top of these key tracks, Thomas went on to build a go-kart track in Blairsville (Lost Creek Raceway) which allowed young drivers the opportunity and experience to further tune their skills.