Waid's World
A NASCAR BLOG BY Steve Waid
Martinsville Speedway’s Dick Thompson was the media’s friend
I doubt many race fans, past or present, knew Dick Thompson. I doubt they had even heard of him.
But that’s the way he wanted it.
For more than 40 years, Thompson was the public relations director for Martinsville Speedway. He did not care to promote himself. Instead, it was his job to promote the track and its races. It was his task to cater to the motorsports media, to provide them all the information they needed so they could ably and accurately report his track’s events.
Simply put, when it came to the media, he wanted to make their jobs as easy as possible. He realized that if he did that, Martinsville would benefit greatly.
Thompson was hired by track owner H. Clay Earles in 1966 after a career as a sports writer for the Roanoke Times. Thompson was only the second full-time public relations director employed by a speedway.
He became, simply, the best.
In an era devoid of the Internet and e-mail, writers relied on phones and the post office.
Thompson was like a machine. He routinely sent out releases with not only information about his track or its races but also with feature stories about drivers, crewmen and others.
When the media arrived at the track to cover a race, every piece of information needed was ready for them. They did not have to ask for anything.
Thompson also believed that NASCAR was so much more than winners, losers, laps led and pit stops. It was about people.
Every person in NASCAR, no matter his or her position or status, had a story to tell. He wanted media members to tell those stories because, if they benefited Martinsville, that was good. But if they benefited NASCAR, and sparked interest in it, that was better.
Years ago, he made that known to a young writer whose knowledge of NASCAR was, at best, negligible.
Thompson became that writer’s mentor.
Rest assured I wasn’t the only one.
Thompson had a wonderful personality. He loved to laugh, joke and never really took anything seriously – even his job.
He was liked and appreciated by the entire motorsports media, who were served well by his work ethic. But, undeniably, he was more respected for the man he was.
He was more than a track official. He was a friend – and a good one.
Dick Thompson died on Oct. 28 at age 74.
NASCAR and all of those who participate in it, report on it and enjoy it as fans, have lost a true pioneer.
But for those of us in the media, we have lost a trusted, well-liked comrade who will never be forgotten.
Steve Waid
Steve Waid is the veteran sports writer on the NASCAR Scene staff. He's been covering racing since 1972 and has been at NASCAR Scene for 26 years.
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