I01.16.12_BOB_THO_TIN_0080F

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Photo ID #	I01.16.12_BOB_THO_TIN_0080F_4
Car #:	#NA
	Bobby Thomas
Location:	Top Photo - Michigan International Speedway. All other photos - Tinton Falls, NJ
Date:	1984
Photographer:	Mike Sienko (top 3 photos), unknown (bottom photo)
Photo provided by:	Mike Sienko
Comments:	Note: Mike Sienko (provider of the photos) worked with Bobby Thomas at IROC during the 1980's. Comments from Mike: In the top photo, Bobby is driving his Torino (which I think he got from Jimmy Hoffman) across the backstretch of Michigan when we were leaving there to go to Burke Lakefront Airport for the next race. The second photo is of Bobby with a group of Camaro's taken in Tinton Falls. The 3rd photo is a picture of Bobby working on a 1/4 panel of one of the cars with Ron Cranmer, who everybody knows as Nat. The bottom photo is a group shot of (L to R) Les Richter, ? Rick something, Willie Evernham, Me, ?, Rick Frank, ?, ?, ?, ?, Bobby, Jay Signore, Walter something, ? Rick Whitling, Ray Evernham, ?, Something Rogers (I think his dad Walt raced at Wall), Bobby Lochland, ?, ?, ?. Don't remember the 4 on the bottom, except a nickname Sach with the glasses.

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Date:	Visitor's Name:	Comment:
01.17.12	3Wide	I originally met Bobby Thomas while attending one of the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club (GSVSSC) Meetings held at the IROC facility in Tinton Falls, NJ. Bobby ran the shop there right up until the time of their closing (2008). Many in the racing community knew Bobby because of it, but many more knew him because of his willingness to always help out a fellow racer for many, many years in the racing community. Everybody knew Bobby, and everyone had a "BT" story.... I knew Bobby as a guy who had friends everywhere. He was a strong supporter of race teams at Wall, and I think that was home for him. I recently found out that back in the early 70's, Bobby had purchased a Coupe from Buzzie Reutimann and renumbered it as the #100 and brought in Jim Hoffman as the driver at East Windsor. I was surprised by this since Bob was so well known in the asphalt racing circles, but back then, sometimes those circles crossed over from dirt to asphalt... As it turns out, Bob was well known in many circles, and more important than just being well known, Bob was what short track racing is all about. Bob left us too early, and he will always be missed.... I think I speak for quite a few when I say that I just hope Bob can hear them runnin' at Wall again... The way it should be.....