Fantasy NASCAR Racing

was a NASCAR pioneer and driver in the Grand National (Cup) series from 1950 to 1971.  Thompson started racing roadsters in 1946; switched to modified in 1948; and came to the Cup series in 1950.  He made his debut in 1950 and won two of the seven races he competed in 1953 in the #46 Buckshot Morris Oldsmobile.  Thompson made 15 starts in 1955 and made a serious attack on the Championship the next year, competing in 42 races in Carl Kiekhaefer's factory-backed Chryslers and Dodges, winning eight times.  From 1956-1959 he finished each year third in the CUP standings.  1959 would be his last full-time effort in the series and he left the CUP series after the 1962 season, choosing to race at late models at local North Carolina short tracks.  He returned to NASCAR's top series, in 1971 for the World 600 where he finished 16th.  During a late model race on April 2, 1972 at Metrolina Fairgrounds in Charlotte, where he started the race despite reporting he was not feeling well.  Thompson suffered a suspected heart attack, during the race and crashed his car, breaking his neck as well.  He died on the way to the hospital, one day before his 46th birthday.  For his career he ran 197 Cup