
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions)
San Diego, CALIFORNIA (Jan. 27, 2025) — Thomas Soper, a fourteen-year member of the United States Navy, has a story that intertwines dedication, resilience, and a passion for racing. Originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, relocation was not uncommon during his formative years, growing up with a father employed in the oilfield industry. However, it was in Eunice, New Mexico, at the Cardinal Motor Speedway, where Soper first cultivated his love for racing, inspired by his father’s own pursuits on the track.
Currently stationed in San Diego, California, Soper competes regularly in the IMCA Northern SportMods at Barona Speedway Park. Despite his busy schedule as a machinist mate, coupled with work commitments during Christmas and New Years, Soper carved out time to participate in week two of the IMCA TV Winter Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway, an embodiment of the unofficial slogan of the U.S. Navy, Non sibi sed patriae, “not for self but for country”.
“The Navy has been generous enough to allow me to go out and race, so I repaid the debt by staying home and taking care of business on the home front during the holidays,” he said.
Racing in Honor of His Late Father
Soper’s car, emblazoned with the number 64, is a tribute to his late father, who tragically passed away from cancer in 2019 while Soper was deployed overseas. As much as the loss profoundly impacted his life, Soper found solace and connection through racing. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a friend that was a retired Marine relocating to Pennsylvania sold him a Pure Stock car, providing Soper a meaningful way to reconnect with his father’s legacy.
“I wanted to get an IMCA car because that was what dad had,” Soper explained. “I thought about a Stock Car, but with Barona transitioning from Super Stocks to Stock Cars, I wasn’t completely sold. My wife’s encouragement to look into IMCA Northern SportMods sealed the deal. She said it was her favorite class and is good friends with Steven Luecht, and one day, she told me to go buy one. I don’t think she thought I’d do it, but I did—and it’s been the best decision I’ve made in racing.”
Soper purchased his SportMod from P.J. Dyke, a racer with a strong track record in the local area and quickly hit the track at the first chance that he got.
“The shift from a Pure Stock to a SportMod felt like an espresso shot to the heart,” he said. “The chassis setup, the crabwalking of the rear end—it’s an entirely different deal. But I’ve adapted well. At the Winter Nationals, I made two out of four features and climbed from 28th to 12th on the final night.”
Balancing Service and Racing
The Navy has been a significant part of Soper’s life. His great-grandfather served as a turret gunner in World War II, and his wife, Cassie, is a fellow Navy veteran who served as an Operations Specialist for four years. Before enlisting, Soper worked as a small boat mechanic and has since transitioned to maintaining larger watercraft as a machinist mate.
His role includes handling equipment elevators, HVAC systems, hydraulic systems, and galley and laundry equipment.
In fact, Soper’s pit crew is comprised of five active-duty Navy members who lend their skills to keep his race car in top condition. This camaraderie extends the spirit of teamwork from the Navy to the racetrack.
“The Navy will tell you that you have to hobbies in the military and if you don’t, you’ll get chewed up and burnt out and this kind of stuff is a stress reliever,” Soper shared. “Racing clears my mind and puts me in a good place.”
Memories Abroad and on the Track
Throughout his Navy career, Soper has traveled extensively. His favorite deployment was in 2013 to Naples, Italy, where he explored iconic destinations like Rome and Pompeii. Though plans to visit race track in Australia didn’t materialize on his last deployment, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, he had the opportunity to visit Japan and witness some of its renowned road courses.
Looking Ahead
For Thomas Soper, racing is more than just a hobby; it’s a tribute to his father, a stress reliever, and a passion that connects him to his roots and community. With the support of his wife, his Navy teammates, and the racing community, Soper continues to make his mark on the track, balancing his duties as a sailor and a racer with remarkable dedication.
2025 plans include frequenting Barona regularly as well as venturing to some other Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly tracks in the southern part of the Golden State of California.
“Racing has given me a sense of purpose outside the Navy,” Soper said. “It’s not just about the competition; it’s about carrying on my dad’s legacy and doing something I love.”