DOB: March 13, 1976
Residence: Lansing, Michigan
Years Racing: Twenty-Five [25]
Marital Status: Unknown

Tom Hernly Jr. began racing at a very young age. At just 4 years old he started his ¼ midget career and has never looked back. With nearly 250 ¼ midget wins to his credit, and 7 Track Championships, Tom understands the dedication and professionalism it takes to be a winner. Coming from a middle-class family, with no famous race-related relatives to ask advice from, Tom learned the importance of working hard, especially in school where his father expected at least a "B" average or the ¼ midget would remain parked in the garage. In his early teens, Tom knew what he wanted to grow-up to be, a "Racecar Driver". Idolizing such stars as Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, Tom educated himself about the importance of being polite, responsible, and the commitment of working 2 part-time jobs to fund his first racecar, while still in his junior year of High School. Racing had become what Tom is all about. Skipping his junior and senior proms that he helped organize with student council to drive in races at the local short track, Tom learned about sacrifices and the rewards needed to give 100% to your dreams and goals.

1983 Central States ¼ Midget Champion

Fresh out of High School Tom hired in at Sawyers Pontiac full-time, where he had worked part-time since age 14. Attending Lansing Community College full-time and working full-time while maintaining his racecar Tom learned the importance of scheduling and delegating authority to crewmembers and friends. Success came quickly on the racetrack and in school for Tom. Good grades and a feature win in the "Main Event" Series for "outlaw" cars at age 19 propelled Tom for future success and learning.

Now in his early twenties, Tom had already signed to drive for Eaglewood Racing and their Ultra Wheels sponsored ASA team. The Ultra Wheels team only started one race, but won the qualifier and finished 20th at Berlin Raceway (MI) after an engine failure that finished the race early for Tom. The Ultra Wheels Team then closed its doors after that race, and left Tom climbing back up the ladder once again.

With broken contracts, and an overflowing desire to race, Tom needed a team leader he could rely on. Tom's early to mid-twenties proved to be the building of solid groundwork for Tom and Hernly Jr. Motorsports. Establishing himself as one top driver's in the State of Michigan, Tom won many races and a Super Late Model Championship at Springport Speedway in 1999. Tom also acquired wins in many sub-contracted driving opportunities for other car owners in other divisions during this time.

Through the years to 2004, Tom has competed at 32 racetracks in 12 states. Now at 30 years of age, Tom has wisdom and experience that not many people his age have acquired. Watching many of his friends and old rival's race in Nextel Cup such as Ryan Newman, Scott Riggs, Johnny Sauter, Scott Wimmer and even Matt Kenseth, give Tom the desire and determination to once again compete with them at the highest level of stock-car racing.

Tom Leading Nextel Cup star Ryan Newman in 1985

Tom works on and prepares his own racecars for each and every race he competes in. He feels that knowing how every bolt turns and what each adjustment on the car does, is a big advantage when split seconds on the racetrack can make a difference. Racing has been Tom's life, and is all he thinks about. Success on the racetrack is directly proportionate to the amount of preparation and planning in the shop or behind the desk determining the proper roll centers and roll angles for the chassis. The 2006 season is just around the corner and looks to be another stepping stone for Tom and Hernly Jr. Motorsports, with a limited schedule in the traveling CRA Super Series circuit. Another chapter is about to begin in the life of racecar driver Tom Hernly Jr, we welcome you to come along for the ride, it's sure to be exciting!