When Mark Thomkins isn't behind the wheel of a tow truck, he's working on his new IMCA modified car and his dream: racing in NASCAR's Winston Cup like his father, Howard Thomkins, in the 1970s.
"I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life," Mark Thomkins said. "I think I'm pretty good. I just need the right opportunity."
He said he's won a couple of feature races on a dirt track in Petaluma, Calif., and this year, is moving up three classes.
"I figure, I'm not getting any younger," said Thomkins, 36. "If I'm going to do this, I'd better get on it."
He expects the car to cost him about $5,000 out of pocket, with sponsors picking up the balance. Dean's Machines, Brake & Alignment Plus and Rick and June Bathgate are helping sponsor the new car, which will get an engine and transmission this week.
He said he could always use more sponsors.
Originally from Sacramento, Thomkins said he moved here about eight years ago to escape the crowds. He lives in Carson City with his wife, Renee, and their 1-year-old daughter, Tricia.
When he isn't working on his race car, Thomkins is a tow truck driver for Carson City Towing. On call 24 hours a day, he said the work is demanding, but he enjoys it.
"Mitch, Maria and John Etchemendy own the company," he said. "It's small, and I'm the only driver on the payroll. I've worked for all the big gurus, and that means nothing but big battles because all the work is on commission. Being on call is the hardest part of this job."
He said every day is different. He's moved everything from buildings to fire engines. Once he moved the Ferrari used in "Magnum P.I.," a TV detective series that starred Tom Selleck in the 1980s.
"The guy who bought it lives just outside of Gardnerville," Thomkins said.
During the racing season, from April to October, Thomkins races at Carson City's Champion Motor Speedway, in addition to several tracks throughout Northern California.
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