John Hoenig

Track Owner, Promoter
CLASS OF 2003

John Hoenig built the Thompson Speedway after the Hurricane of 1938 ripped through the quiet town in northeast Connecticut, destroying his family farm. Stones from stone walls were crushed and mixed into asphalt. Fallen trees were turned into lumber for grandstands, fences, and buildings. Finally, on May 26, 1940, Hoenig opened his doors for that first race at Thompson, becoming the first asphalt racetrack in the country.

In those early years, Hoenig quickly established Thompson as a top-notch racing facility. Lee Allard, Bill Holland, Ted Horn, Maury Rose, and Rex Mays were all drivers who competed at Thompson. By the time they retired, each of these five men had gone on to win the famed Indianapolis 500.

After closing during World War II, Hoenig & Thompson came roaring back in 1945 with midget cars. In 1947, John Hoenig held a meeting at Thompson with Bill France, Roy Tuthill & Ed Otto to discuss the future of racing. The following year, as a result of this meeting, NASCAR was formed.

In 1948, John promoted the first stock car race in Connecticut. There have been 3 NASCAR Grand National (now Cup Series) races held at Thompson Speedway. They were won by Neil Cole (1951), David Pearson (1969) and Bobby Isaac (1970). Thompson became known as “The Indianapolis of the East”.

In 1951, John built a road course, using part of the oval track, luring USAC type cars & drivers into Northeast Connecticut. Mario Andretti was one of the more well-known drivers who competed on the new course.

John Hoenig was presented the Frank Maratta Award for outstanding contribution to auto racing in 1984. He passed away on March 14 1989, at age 83. His track, now called Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, continues under fourth generation ownership by the Hoenig family.