In 1996, 12 year old Tom Knippenberg began racing go-carts at Norway Speedway where he finished 2nd in points his very first year. Enjoying many championships in cart racing, he moved on to bigger and faster cars when he started his rookie year in 2000 at Grundy County Speedway.
Finishing 12th in points his first time out, he moved up to 8th, 4th, and then to 2nd in points in 2003 & 2004 in the Mid-American Series division. In 2004 he was also racing full time at Illiana Speedway, and earned Illiana Speedway's Rookie of The Year'.
Taking his driving skill to the next level, Tom earned Rookie of the Year in 2005 in the Grundy County Speedway Late Model division, and enjoyed many top 5 feature finishes, multiple Heat Race wins, and making the top 10 in points at Grundy County Speedway and at LaSalle Speedway while driving an UMP sanctioned dirt open-wheel modified part-time. In 2012, he returned to the Mid-American division at Grundy, and in 2013 & 2014 won the Mid-American division Championship!
Tom Knippenberg is the Manager of Bill's Speed Shop in Rockdale, Illinois, a family owned speed supply and fabrication business, and enjoys bowling, hanging out with friends when time permits, and spending time with family, especially his nephew.