Larry Thomas (racing driver)
Larry Thomas (April 13, 1936 – January 25, 1965) was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver from Thomasville, North Carolina. Thomas died in a non-racing related car crash during the start of the 1965 NASCAR season.
| Larry Thomas | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | April 13, 1936 | ||||||
| Died | January 25, 1965 Georgia | ||||||
| NASCAR Cup Series career | |||||||
| 126 races run over 4 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 8th (1964) | ||||||
| First race | 1961 Myers Brothers 200 (Bowman Gray) | ||||||
| Last race | 1964 Unnamed Race (Jacksonville) | ||||||
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Driving career
Larry Thomas began his racing career in 1956 driving hobby stocks and modifieds at Bowman-Gray Stadium. He began his NASCAR career in 1961 driving for Wade Younts. His best finish was seventh at South Boston Speedway. During the 1962 season, Thomas encountered a significant number of mechanical failures which marred him in seventeenth place in the standings. His 1963 campaign did not fare much better as he ended up twenty-second in the point standings. 1964 was Thomas' breakout season. Though he still suffered quite a few mechanical failures throughout the season, he finished eighth in the final point standings and earned a career-best second-place finish at Hickory Speedway. Also in 1964, Thomas was involved in a significant wreck at Jacksonville Speedway when he flipped over the Younts' owned Dodge. Thomas escaped without serious injury.
Death
Getting ready for the 1965 season, Thomas was driving to a tire test when he drove off Interstate 75 in Georgia and landed in a thirty-five foot embankment killing him instantly.[1]