From Preparation to Performance: How Tom Burt Brings Racing—and Security First—to Life on the Track

For Tom Burt, racing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifelong passion shaped by early curiosity, family influence, and years of disciplined preparation. Now, as he prepares to compete at the Memorial Monster Majors/Double SARRC at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina, on May 23–24, 2026, that passion has taken on new meaning—with Security First Insurance along for the ride.

His journey started in an unexpected way. As a child, Tom admits he wasn’t interested in reading—until his mom handed him car magazines. That simple moment sparked something lasting. He began devouring the content, memorizing specifications, and building a deep fascination with cars. Growing up near Daytona Beach, surrounded by racing culture, only reinforced that interest.

What started as curiosity eventually turned into action. Tom built his first car, experimented with early driving experiences, and later found his way into autocross. But it wasn’t until he attended Skip Barber Racing School that everything clicked. From there, he earned his racing licenses and began building a serious racing career—one that now spans more than 16 years.

Like many personal pursuits, his racing journey hasn’t been linear. After earning his pro license in 2016, Tom stepped back to focus on family life when he and his wife welcomed their third child. It wasn’t until 2024 that he returned to racing in a meaningful way—quickly regaining momentum and competing in the 2025 SCCA National Championship.

Balancing Two Worlds

When Tom isn’t behind the wheel, he runs his own financial services firm, specializing in retirement planning and wealth management. It’s a very different environment from the track—but one that still requires focus, discipline, and strategic thinking.

That balance between precision in his day job and performance on race day reflects a mindset that carries through everything he does.

A Personal Passion with a Company Connection

This season brings an added layer of significance. Tom is racing with Security First Insurance as the title sponsor of his car—a company led by his father, CEO Locke Burt, and his sister, President Melissa Burt DeVriese.

What started as a long-shot idea has become a meaningful partnership. Tom joked that his dad once told him not to even ask about sponsorship—but today, the company is fully behind the effort.

For Tom, the sponsorship represents more than visibility—it’s a way to represent the people and culture behind the brand.

“It means a lot,” he shared, reflecting on the opportunity to carry the company’s name on the track and represent the “blood, sweat, and tears” employees have invested over the years.

That pride shows up in the details—from outfitting his crew professionally to ensuring the team reflects the same level of excellence associated with the Security First name.

Behind the Scenes: Where the Real Work Happens

While race day may last less than an hour, the work behind it is extensive—and often invisible.

Preparation begins weeks in advance. For this upcoming race weekend in South Carolina, Tom and his team will travel hundreds of miles with multiple cars, coordinating equipment, supplies, and crew logistics to ensure everything is ready before they even arrive at the track.

Physically, racing demands endurance. Drivers operate in extreme heat—often exceeding 100 degrees—while managing intense G-forces. Staying in peak condition isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Mentally, the preparation is just as rigorous. Before each race, Tom visualizes every detail of the track—when to shift, where to brake, how to take each turn. In the final moments before entering the car, he isolates himself to focus and mentally run through a “perfect lap.”

After the race, the work continues. Data is analyzed, video is reviewed, and feedback from his coach helps refine performance for the next event.

A Team Sport at Every Level

Despite the spotlight often being on the driver, Tom emphasizes that racing is fundamentally a team effort.

Every component of a race car requires attention—from tires to safety equipment—and each part has a lifecycle that must be tracked and maintained. Behind the scenes, a coordinated team works to ensure the car performs the way it should when it matters most.

“It takes a small army,” Tom explained, highlighting the coordination required to bring everything together successfully.

Connecting the Dots to Security First

For Tom, the connection between racing and Security First Insurance is clear: preparation, teamwork, and execution under pressure.

He compares race preparation to hurricane readiness. At Security First, teams spend months preparing for storms—so when one arrives, they’re ready to respond quickly and effectively. Racing works the same way. Weeks of preparation lead up to a short window where everything must come together seamlessly.

“When the green flag drops,” Tom noted, that’s when all the preparation is put to the test—just like when a storm makes landfall.

A Signature Number—and a Personal Touch

Even Tom’s car number reflects his mindset. Driving with the number zero wasn’t originally common, but he saw an opportunity to stand out.

In racing, lower numbers are considered better—so Tom asked a simple question: what’s better than one? Zero. That thinking became a signature, and now every car he drives bears that distinctive number.

Speed, Passion, and Perspective

On the track, Tom reaches speeds of up to 170 mph at Daytona and around 145 mph at other circuits. But for him, it’s not just about speed—it’s about the experience, the discipline, and the connection it brings.

Racing allows him to bring his family into something he loves, while also pushing himself to improve with every race. And now, with Security First alongside him, that passion carries even greater significance.

For Tom Burt, racing is more than crossing the finish line—it’s about everything that happens before the green flag. And whether he’s advising clients on financial planning or preparing for a race weekend, the same principles apply: preparation, discipline, and a team you can rely on when it matters most.