JohnnyThomson

John Ashley Thomson, affectionately known as "the Flying Scot," carved out a formidable reputation in American open-wheel racing, demonstrating exceptional versatility across midgets, sprint cars, and the pinnacle of Championship Car racing. His career, though tragically cut short, left an indelible mark, characterized by a relentless pursuit of victory and a natural aptitude for speed.

The Formative Years of "The Flying Scot"

Born on April 9, 1922, to William and Marion Ross Thomson, Johnny Thomson's early life saw him navigate a path from academic pursuits to military service before fully embracing his passion for motorsport. A graduate of Lowell High School and the New England Aircraft School, Thomson's technical foundation would undoubtedly serve him well in his racing endeavors. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, he served with distinction in the United States Air Force as a crew chief on a B-25 bomber, stationed in Corsica and Italy. His service earned him five service stars and the Distinguished Air Force Medal, a testament to his dedication and skill even before his racing career took full flight. Thomson's fascination with racing began early, observing events at a local track in Lowell during 1937 and 1938. Defying his parents' wishes, he made his racing debut at that very track in 1938, piloting a V8-engined car he had constructed himself. Following his military service, he resumed midget car racing with the Bay State Racing Association. His inaugural victory came at Seekonk Speedway in 1946, a precursor to a dominant 1947 season where he secured seven wins. This early success quickly escalated; Thomson clinched the 1948 United Car Owners Association (UCOA) New England title with an impressive 32 midget event victories. He followed this with a second UCOA title in 1949, concurrently competing in select American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) events. A full transition to the ARDC in 1950 saw him finish fifth in points, improving to second in 1951. His midget car career culminated in the 1952 AAA Eastern division championship, highlighted by two wins at Williams Grove Speedway. During this period, in 1951, Thomson met Evelyn Peterson, who would become his wife. By the mid-1950s, he had relocated from Springfield, Massachusetts, to a five-acre ranch he built near Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Transition to Championship Cars and World Championship Recognition

Thomson's progression into the AAA and later USAC Championship Car series marked his entry into the highest echelon of American open-wheel racing, a period spanning the 1953 to 1960 seasons. Over these years, he made 69 starts, a significant portion of which included participation in the prestigious Indianapolis 500 every season. His talent quickly translated to this demanding discipline, evidenced by 43 top-ten finishes and a total of seven victories. Crucially, from 1950 through 1960, the Indianapolis 500 was integrated into the FIA World Championship, meaning drivers competing at Indy during this era were credited with World Championship points and participation. Johnny Thomson participated in eight such World Championship races. His achievements within this context included securing one pole position, notably for the 1959 Indianapolis 500, and setting one fastest lead lap. He also achieved a podium finish once, accumulating a total of ten World Championship points. For several of his Indianapolis 500 campaigns, Roy Sherman, the first National Midget Champion, served as his chief mechanic, underscoring the caliber of support Thomson commanded. His first victory in a Championship Car came at the Milwaukee Mile in 1955. This season, however, also presented a significant challenge. While leading a race at Langhorne Speedway, Thomson was involved in an end-over-end flip after clipping Jerry Hoyt's car. The incident resulted in severe injuries, including five broken ribs, bruised vertebrae, and a shoulder broken in eight places, forcing him to miss a portion of the season. Despite this setback, he managed to finish third in the overall season points standings, a testament to his resilience and early-season performance.

Peak Performance and Signature Drives

The years following his recovery saw Johnny Thomson consistently at the forefront of Championship Car and sprint car racing. In 1957, he returned to Langhorne to claim a victory, also securing two pole positions during the season. However, that October brought another incident, a crash at the California State Fairgrounds Race Track that left him with internal injuries. Undeterred, 1958 proved to be a strong year; Thomson finished third in the points standings, with victories at the Springfield Mile, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, California Fairgrounds, and Syracuse Mile. He also added two pole positions from his 13 starts that season. The 1959 season was particularly notable for Thomson. Primarily competing in Championship Cars, he secured a win at Milwaukee and recorded three fast times, ultimately finishing third in the national points standings. His performance at the Indianapolis 500 that year was a career highlight: he started from pole position and achieved his best Indy finish, securing third place. Later that season, a wreck in a sprint car race at Williams Grove in September forced him to miss the remainder of the schedule. Beyond Championship Cars, Thomson was a dominant force in sprint car racing. His first "Big Car" (now sprint car) start was in September 1952 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds. He primarily raced on the AAA Eastern circuit in 1953, finishing ninth after a win at Altamont, New York. His prowess in sprint cars was undeniable, culminating in the 1954 Eastern AAA Big Car championship, achieved through an impressive eight event victories. When AAA ceased sanctioning after the 1955 season, replaced by the United States Automobile Club (USAC) in 1956, Thomson continued his success in the Eastern Division. He secured wins at Williams Grove, Trenton Speedway, and Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, finishing second in points behind Tommy Hinnershitz. His 1957 sprint car efforts, predominantly in the USAC Eastern division, yielded two wins at Reading and one at the Allentown fairgrounds, placing him third in points. Returning from injury, Thomson won the first 1958 USAC Sprint Car Series Eastern race at Williams Grove, following it with two wins at Reading and one at Allentown to claim the Eastern championship. A testament to his raw speed and skill on dirt tracks, Thomson was the first driver to complete a 100-mile dirt track race in under an hour at Langhorne Speedway, achieving an average speed of 100.174 miles per hour in his champ car.

A Legacy Cut Short

Johnny Thomson's illustrious career was tragically cut short on September 24, 1960, at the age of 38. He was competing in a USAC Sprint Car race at the Great Allentown Fair at the Allentown Fairgrounds. On a rutty and dry track, his car flipped and crashed through the backstretch fence, subsequently rolling into the infield. Thomson was ejected from the cockpit and pinned underneath his car after it came to rest. He sustained a broken leg and, despite efforts, succumbed to his injuries several hours later at Allentown General Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The racing community mourned his loss deeply; his friend and fellow competitor, Tommy Hinnershitz, announced his retirement from racing shortly after Thomson's death. Thomson was survived by his wife, Evelyn, and their four sons: Dale, Dana, David, and Darryl. His contributions to motorsport were posthumously recognized. In 1996, Johnny Thomson was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, followed by his induction into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1997, cementing his place among the legends of American racing. Beyond the track, Thomson even made a television appearance as a contestant on Bud Collyer's "Beat The Clock," showcasing a glimpse of his personality outside the racing environment. His nickname, "the Flying Scot," perfectly encapsulated his aggressive yet masterful approach to racing, a style that brought him numerous victories and championships across multiple disciplines.