Herb Thomas: A True Legend In Auto Sports Racing

If you are a big fan of motor sports racing and are greatly interested in NASCAR, then Herb Thomas may not be a stranger to you. Up to now, he still garners fans and popularity making him an icon and one of the legends in NASCAR. Herb Thomas is considered to be one of the greatest drivers of all time.

For some people who may not know Herb Thomas, here is a brief background about his great and legendary career. There are numerous fan sites that are dedicated especially in remembrance of him to give honor and commemorate the greatness in his career.

The Career Of Herb Thomas

Herb Thomas was born and raised in Hartnett County in North Carolina on April 6, 1923 and started his own sawmill business that supplied the United States military with lumber during World War II. When the war ended, Herb Thomas discovered the world of racing and became a racing car owner before he competed for wildcats racing as a driver. When NASCAR started in 1947, he immediately joined and went on to the Grand National circuit, which is now known as the Winston Cup, after only two years of competition.

Herb Thomas first won at the Grand National race with a Plymouth in Martinsville, Virginia in the year 1950. After a year, when he raced the Hudson Hornet, he won the Grand National Championship and he won 48 NASCAR Winston Cup races making him one of the greatest drivers during his time. He also won the Grand National Championship twice in the year 1951 and 1953, and came in second place in the years of 1952, 1954, and 1956. He is the first person ever to win three Southern 500 racing competition during 1951, 1954, and 1955.

The Legend

In dedication to enshrining those who have been legends and those who have greatly contributed to auto racing, Herb Thomas was inducted in 1994 as part of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Along with international driving legends like Fangio, Ferrari, Moss, and Senna, he is now a part of the greatest drivers, owners, developers, and engineers of all time who have contributed to auto sports racing.

Herb Thomas was also on the list of NASCAR's Fifty Greatest Drivers in the year 1998 along with legends like Tiny Lund, Hershel McGriff, and Ernie Irvan. Sadly, he died in the year 2000 due to heart attack at the age of seventy-seven.