Well-known Hoosier South sales rep passes
Jimmy “Pup” Thomas of Knoxville, Tenn., an icon of the Southeast Dirt Late Model circuit from his over four decades spent selling Hoosier tires, died April 12 at his home. He was 66.
Well known for his outgoing personality and omnipresence at racetracks across his home region, Thomas was a lifelong racer who started in the sport as a crew member and later crew chief for late East Tennessee driver Buddy Rogers. He began selling tires for Hoosier in 1979 and for the past 25 years was a sales rep for Hoosier Tire South under its current owner David Miller.
“Pup was a good friend and will be deeply missed,” Miller said in a statement posted on Facebook. “He brought not only a lot of knowledge to the industry, but also that one-on-one relationship with many people that crossed his path.”
The news of Thomas’s passing cast a pall on many pit areas where his endless number of acquaintances were competing over the weekend. Several drivers dedicated victories to Thomas, including Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., who remembered Pup as a “great friend” and “super nice guy” after his $20,000 Lucas Oil MLRA triumph on Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.
Thomas’s unquestioned assistance to drivers and race teams was renowned and he was involved in countless fundraisers for injured or ailing drivers, crew members and track officials. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame as part of the organization’s Class of 2020 inductions and, among other honors, was made a member of the Smokey Mountain Speedway Hall of Fame in 2018 and was presented the Junior Wheeler Lifetime Achievement Award in ’08.
Thomas is survived by a brother, three sisters and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, three sisters and a niece.
Visitation is 4-6:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, at Lonsdale United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. A Celebration of Life service will follow.
