Former M'ville PR director Thompson dies at 74

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Dick Thompson, a pioneer in auto-racing public relations during nearly 40 years at Martinsville Speedway, died Wednesday, the track announced. He was 74.

Dick Thompson

Thompson was working as a racing writer for The Roanoke Times in 1966 when the late Martinsville Speedway founder, H. Clay Earles, hired him to help publicize events at the track, said W. Clay Campbell, Earles' grandson and now the track's president.

Thompson was the track's first public relations director and was only the second full-time public relations representative in NASCAR, the speedway said in a news release.

NASCAR released a statement that said, "Dick Thompson was an integral part of making Martinsville Speedway one of the most successful tracks in all of motorsports. In 1966, Dick became only the second full-time public relations person in the sport, and through nearly 40 years of service, helped NASCAR grow until his retirement in 2005.

"The NASCAR family will remember Dick as a close friend. Our condolences go out to his family and many friends."

Using innovative strategies and gimmicks to attract interest, Thompson helped usher the half-mile track -- and NASCAR -- into an era of sponsorships and other growth.

When he retired in January 2005, NASCAR was the fastest-growing sport in America, routinely drawing more than 60,000 people for races at Martinsville.

The track's press box is named for Thompson.