11 replies to this topic

[Sarver Racing]

Dave Thompson unfortunately lost his bout with cancer this evening. For those of you that remember, Dave was a great man and a great racer. Dave drove a black coupe with a yellow #92 on it years ago and was a track Champion the first year that Lernerville opened. Dave's son Ron Thompson owns the #81 stock car driven by Mike Miller at Lernerville and his daughter Bonnie is married to Chuck Sarver who drives the #88 Super Latemodel. Dave loved the sport and will be forever missed. R.I.P.

Edited by Sarver Racing, 10 January 2014 - 09:17 AM.

[RACERSPASTOR]

My deepest sympathy to the entire Thompson family Dave was a staple at Mercer back in the early days and never lost his love of the sport, My prayers of peace are extended to all of you, Chaplain Bill Beck

[magoo]

Dave was practically unbeatable the first few years that the 'new' Butler Speedway ran. He drove a black no. 69 Hudson powered Plymouth coupe owned by Bob Rogers, also of Renfrew. Most all of those wins were from the rear of a 20+ field of cars. The good old days. Sympathy and prayers to the Thompson/Sarver families.

[Skull]

R.I.P. Mr. Thompson.

[spike]

Deepest sympathy to the entire Thompson family. A true racing family. And if you wanted your tractor fixed properly, that was also Dave.

[Walt Wimer]

Another sad day for our sport in the western PA area!! I have known Dave Thompson for over 45 years and very sorry to hear this. R.I. P. Dave. BTW....Dave Thompson has recently been nominated for the Lernerville Speedway Hall of Fame. He was the track's first late model champ in 1968 and won 10 races that year in the Ron Montage-Don Oesterling #00 Ford Walt

[Editor]

Our Deepest Sympathy to the Thompson/Sarver Family. The #00 Green and White Ford was awesome to watch back in 1968. The Fennell's

[Rappin on Racin]

Our thoughts and prayers to the Thompson & Sarver Families. R.I.P. Dave

Dave Thompson - Dave started racing in the later part of the 1959 season for car owner Bob Rogers in the #69 hard top division (coupes) at the age of 21. His first full rookie year season in 1960 at the Butler Fairgrounds he achieved his first track championship for Bob Rogers and himself the car had a 6cyl. Hudson they continued to run at various track and won many features and 50 and 100 lap races.

Dave then drove for Dennis Mock and Ray Vollmer with the black and yellow #92 in the v8 coupe division with a 6cylinder engine and achieved another track championship at Mercer Speedway in 1967. They continued to compete with the v8s and won with the 6cyl and they tried to qualify at Langhorne with their 6-cylinder but was off by 1mph.

In 1968 the first year Lernerville opened Thompson won 10 of 17 races during the first year of "Late Model" racing at Lernerville, driving the Montag-Oesterling #00 and achieved his third track championship. His final ride came in the 70s for John Reno and Jim Minton in the 83 late model. Through his racing he drove for several car owners and awarded them with victories such as Dave Stewart and Carl Cooper known as a strong competitor and victor he made a name for himself with several feature wins and championships.

In 1969 Thompson won a pair of Late Model races with the Ron Stanley #42 Ford after Dave Hoffman split-up with Stanley. He also won three races with the Mock-Volmer #92 coupe with the 6-cylinder engine beating the V-8s. Thus Dave Thompson and Dick Swartzlander were the first drivers at Lernerville to win in two of the top three classes, well before the likes of Ralph Quarterson, Bob Wearing, Blackie Watt or Lou Blaney. Thompson had 12 career Late Model wins and three in the coupes. Note: The Mock-Volmer car was a Willy's coupe with a Chevy six cylinder.

[spike]

Arrangements for Dave's funeral are now posted on the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home site.

[Dingo]

Sad to hear that another star from 'back in the day' has passed. His generation were the pioneers of what we have today and for that, the sport will forever be thankful. Deepest condolences to the family and friends from the PA Vintage Dirt Modifieds. Dingo

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