DAD'S ON THE TRAILER
By: Paige Thom

Dear Readers,

I’m Paige Thom daughter of Vintage Fuel editor Christy Thom and driver Kevin Thom. I grew up around big motors and fast boats. When I turned five I got my first dirt bike and shortly after my first quad. My family and I spent our summers boating and riding dirt bikes in the winter. When I turned eight our life took a huge turn. My Mom started Vintage Fuel and they bought a race car. Now I am eleven and hoping to have my own junior dragster this year.

Technically, I am a next generation racer but this story is not about me. It is about an even better Next Generation story…the Streigel and Langdon family of Clay Smith Cams. Some of the first people I met at a race were George, Patty, & Sherry Streigel and Sherry’s finance Chad Langdon. Shortly after meeting them I was introduced to Nick & Tracy, Sherry’s son and daughter. George and Patty are the owners of Clay Smith Cams and their daughter Sherry is running daily operations to one day take it over. Sherry’s son Nick is the owner of and previously drove the fastest junior dragster in the United States.

Sherry’s fiancé Chad Langdon races the Clay Smith Cams super comp dragster and his son Shawn Langdon races the Lucas Oil super comp dragster. At the Winternationals in Pomona the Langdons faced each other in the first round. I had a chance to interview them after Shawn defeated Chad! Check out the video below by clicking the PLAY button.

One day I want to run up against my dad and win, but that won’t happen for a while. In the meantime I will keep you in touch with the growing numbers of next generation racers!