1907-2007 Indian Trail Centennial
Indian Trail Centennial Book — Indian Trail: The First 100 Years
Excerpt from Indian Trail: The First 100 Years
Alfred Bruce "Speedy" Thompson
Alfred Bruce "Speedy" Thompson was born April 3, 1926, in Union County, NC, the son of Franklin Bruce and Colen Austin Thompson. His grandfather, James Franklin Thompson was one of five original commissioners for Vance Township. Speedy is best remembered for what he loved most and did so well, Stock Car Racing.
"Speedy's" father Bruce was instrumental in what racing has evolved into today. He was a welder, race car driver, owner, builder and promoter of the sport. The Thompsons lived at the intersection of Old Charlotte Highway and Indian Trail, Waxhaw Road on a 300 acre farm. Bruce ran the Standard Oil station that used to sit on the comer of the crossroads. This is where Bruce did his mechanical work and built race cars. Later, Bruce moved his family to a house at Five Points in Monroe, where he built engines in the small welding shop next door, which became known as Thompson's Speed Shop. This is where Speedy and his older brother, Jimmy, got their racing start. Jimmy Thompson ran some Grand National events but mostly raced modified Sportsman, where he is remembered as one of the very best and was extremely competitive.
Alfred "Speedy" Thompson started racing roadsters in 1946, switched to modifieds in 1948, and then began concentrating on the Grand National Stock Car Circuit. On that, he had 20 wins, 18 poles, 15 seconds, and 16 thirds. His victories included the Darlington Southern 500 in 1957, North Wilkesboro, Martinsville, twice at Richmond and the inaugural fall race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1960.
He continued to race until his death in 1972. He died racing on Easter Sunday on the dirt track at the Metrolina Fairgrounds in Charlotte.
He was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Hall of Fame at Darlington Raceway in 1984.
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