In the Spotlight: Wes Thomason
- FueledUp
- Feb 27, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 23, 2020
Wes Thomason is well known among drivers and fans in Southwest Virginia for not being afraid to stand his ground and be a little aggressive out on the racetrack every now and then but who exactly is Wes Thomason? Read on to learn more about him including his home track and racing background, very interesting facts, and the exciting news he recently announced.
Growing up, Wes Thomason bounced back and forth between Roanoke and Vinton but he considers the small town of Vinton, Virginia home.
He began racing in 2006 and competed in a couple races during his first season at Franklin County Speedway. He picked up a Chevy Beretta, drove it to the track with no tags, a bad inspection, and no cage and raced it in the UCAR division. Thomason says "I was a lot younger then and didn't realize how dumb I was for doing that but I was hooked".
Although he didn't start racing until 2006, the racetrack was a part of him and his family long before then. The racetrack is where Thomason's mom and dad met. His father worked the pit gate at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, Virginia and helped on the late model of Orvil Reedy. Thomason said growing up he spent many Saturdays in the VIP building in the exit of turn four eating chicken and watching the races.
When I asked him what is it that he likes so much about racing he said "racing is quite the thrill. It's really hard to explain but it's just one helluva adrenaline rush. I made some really great friends that if it wasn't for racing we may not had ever became friends".
Thomason says his number one hero would be his dad who taught him how to work for what he has, not take things for granted, and to never give up. Racing hero wise he was a huge Dale Earnhardt fan growing up but he also looked up to Dave Marcus, "the kind of guy who worked his butt off to make it and never gave up".
Wes says he's not much on keeping track of stats but he's had about 15 wins during his time competing at the racetrack. He has won two late model championships and one mini stock championship at Franklin County. Thomason has ran at multiple different tracks including Motor Mile Speedway (where he has won about five poles), Bowman Gray Stadium, Ace Speedway, Caraway, South Boston, East Carolina, and Oak Level Raceway, but his focus is on his home track of Franklin County Speedway.
Franklin County Speedway is and will always be home away from home for Thomason and he says it's fast and tight quarters racing. "It keeps your heart rate up that's for sure" says Wes Thomason.
In January, Thomason and his girlfriend announced some exciting news. In May 2020, the couple will be welcoming a baby boy. Wes says he's very excited about becoming a father and says he was actually at the racetrack when he was told the news. He says they have been putting the baby room together and "it's pretty amazing to soak it all in".
When I asked him what he enjoys doing in his free time he jokingly replied "I'm not sure free time exists when you hit your 30's". During the winter, Wes supports the local hockey team, the Rail Yard Dawgs and he watches lots of Colorado Avalanche hockey games on TV. During racing season his favorite Cup series driver is Kevin Harvick and if he catches some time during the week he plays Xbox but he says he enjoys spending time with family and friends regardless of what they do because it's very important to him.
Interesting facts about Wes Thomason:
-Wes says thanks to his grandma his cooking skills are on point and his mac and cheese is "listed as the best in the world"
-once ate 50 slices of pizza in one sitting and didn't get sick
-won the very first late model race he ever entered in friend, Kyle Dudley's car. Thomason says "that's the only time I can remember actually beating Kyle"
Wes Thomason says he could go on all day about interesting facts about himself but that's just a few of his favorites.
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Stay tuned for more "In the Spotlight"!
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