Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut, USA, is a 5⁄8-mile (1.0 km) paved oval racetrack that was once known as the Indianapolis of the East. It was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States and is now under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner. Each year Thompson hosts one of the great fall variety events "The World Series of Auto Racing" highlighted by the ISMA Super Modifieds and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. This event frequently draws over 600 race cars in 15 separate divisions over three days.
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Following cleanup from the hurricane of 1938, John Hoenig built a combined 5⁄8-mile (1.0 km) paved oval and 1.6-mile (2.6 km) road racing course on his farmland in the northeast corner of Connecticut.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Thompson's Sunday night program was a who's who of modified greats such as Carl "Bugs" Stevens, Fred DeSarro, Fred Schulz, Ron Bouchard, Ed Flemke, Leo Cleary, Smoky Boutwell, and Geoff Bodine. During this period the track hosted memorable special events which drew legendary Southern drivers like Ray Hendrick in the famous "fire" #1 to battle the locals. Other surprise stars included Long Island's Fred Harbach and Rene Charland from Massachusetts.
In the late 1970s, the track drew 55 winged Super Modifieds to their World Series race. By owner's choice, all 55 started. During the energy crisis during the 1970s Thompson hosted a unique division called the "Open Competitive" division which merged the Super Modifieds with the Modifieds. Later, Thompson tried a lower cost stock-cylinder-head modified division which chased away some of the tracks regulars. Until the 1980s the track had a unique barrier outside turns 1-2 and 3-4 made of dirt fill.
The track has endured some tragic moments which have claimed the lives of DeSarro, Harry Kourafus Jr., Dick Dixon, Corky Cookman, Tom Baldwin, Sr., John Blewett III, and most recently Shane Hammond (April 6, 2008). DeSarro's death prompted a memorial fund-raiser which drew the largest crowd to date and the Northeast's best drivers in an open competition Modified race with no purse. Both Evans and Bodine mounted their cars with wings. Baldwin and Blewett died while competing in the same race on the tour, three years apart.
Hoenig's son Donald and grandson D.R. continue to operate the family-owned facility. The road course is abandoned, serving as paddock and staging areas for the oval track. Thompson operates a successful Thursday night NASCAR weekly racing series along with many special events. The Hoenig's also operate an 18 hole golf course and clubhouse/restaurant on the property.
The current layout appears in the online racing simulation iRacing where it is laser scanned for millimeter accuracy.