Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Former promoter at Terre Haute Action Track and Lincoln Park Speedway, Bill Hopton passed away this morning. Bill was still a race fan and I remember seeing him at Terre Haute earlier this year. I can also remember that he owned a sprint car or two and I think Brian Hayden drove for him at some point. Bill was also a big supporter of Indiana State University Athletics. He will be missed by many. His entire family is in my prayers.

(If any above information is slightly off, I apologize. I did not meet Bill and Family until after his promoting days were over.)

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

R.I.P. Bill

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Bill was a good man.
Dan Laycock, Racin' with D.O. crew and family

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

RIP bill. I met bill last year at THAT while getting ready for the season. I also work with his ddaughter in law at my f/t job.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Funny enough the discussion of lights at Terre Haute came up on another thread and it was Bill that spearheaded that effort - he really got the community involved when T.H. was revitalized -- a good man.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

i will miss you my friend
curt leonard

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

We raced under Bill's run at LPS. He will be missed.
Thoughts and Prayers to the Family.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

RIP Bill :(

Bill had Brian Hayden running the Dirt Track Racing Workshop (driving school) at LPS...

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

I met Bill back in 1995 at the THAT. He was a true fan of racing and genuinely wanted to make people happy that came to his tracks. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

We are sad to hear of Bill's passing! He and his family are very good friends of ours and we will truelly:13: miss him! Our prayers go to his family! RIP Bill!

Dave Darland and Family

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Bill was an original part of the INDIANA TRIPLE CROWN of N.A.M.A.R.S. and was an excellent person to do business with, along with being a friend also. His wife too was an integral part of his business and life. R.I.P.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Very Sad News....... R.I.P.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

R.I.P. Mr. Hopton :(

I recall a few years back when he was running LPS and they had the ISW opener. The Hoptons threw a pre-race cookout, had door prizes, a dunking tank (with Norm Shields, Terry Pletch, and especially Jamie Marvel) and some other niceties for the early arrivers. Bill could not have been nicer or more intent on assuring that everyone had a great time. I found that to be pretty much the case in their THAT regime as well.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Mr. Hopton got my love of racing rekindled by giving me the chance to work at THAT. I will always remember the smile, the easy going manner (even if you fall off a moving water truck in front of everyboby), the DESIRE he had to see the Action Track back. He and the other four amigoes made sure that the fans and the racers first and foremost.
I believe (no.. I know) without Mr. Hopton the Action Track would be just a memory and we should all be thankful that we can argue about it today. I am sure there are those who have bad things to say and I say this, this is not the time nor the forum.
Because of a Mr. Hopton and men like him, dirt track racing in Indiana and Amreica still lives on. We as fans, drivers,crew, owners and sponsers should take time to reflect on that fact alone.
I have a suggestion to Mike and the rest of the current group. If you are going to have a break for the sun to set, why not call it the "Bill Hopton Intermission". Have Chris say something to the effect " As the sun goes down in the west and we turn on the lights, let us reflect on the men that gave us the opportunity to be here".
Marlene, Brian and all, if you need us we will be there. You are in our thoughts and prayers, God bless.


Darrell and Carol Davis
THAT Track Rats

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

I really liked Bill. He was a great guy. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Justin Marvel and Family

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

This is very sad news. I have a great respect for Bill and enjoyed working with him and his family during his years at LPS. Bill gave me my first opportunity to step into the flagstand at LPS in his first year as promoter. Every weekend, I am very grateful for what he has done for me. To the Hopton family, you are in my thoughts and I hope you find peace and comfort in the coming days. R.I.P. Bill Hopton.

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Wow I really can't belive Bill is gone.I just last talked to him at the usac show at terre haute and he was all smiles like always was since the first day I met him.I used to go to lps every sat. night because he always made us feel like we were at home.I remember the year I was working for Eric Shively after the races were over a few of us would stay and have a few cold pops after the race was over also including joe roush aj anderson and a few others. Bill would come by give me the keys and told me to lock the gate when we left.He always said we could stay in the house up front.It was always stocked with food and blankets.We stayed there many times.My final quote is to Mr.Bill Hopton THANKS for everthing you did for all the racers and the fans YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!!

Brian Cripe

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

Bill Hopton was a good friend and we had many good times... he always had a smile and a kind word. There were countless ISU basketball games watching Larry Bird play. Bill talked me into getting involved at THAT with a wrecker and a push truck when the place was literally a few weeks from being bulldozed. He got us involved as the sponsor of the Fast Qualifier Award for many years. When Bill took over LPS, he talked me into working there every Saturday night with a push truck, in the pit chute and the infield. I too spent a few nights at the house in Putnamville when we were doing a two day show. The welcome mat was always out and there were always fresh towels in the shower. There was the night in the tower at St. Augustine, FL watching sprint cars... and I can go on and on with memories and stories about Bill, Marlene and Brian and what they have done for racing and our community.

Bill's love for racing, his hard work and his infectious enthusiam help bring the community together in support of the Action Track, LPS and dirt track racing. He has continued to support racing at THAT under the current promoters, donating his truck and time where ever needed.

In lieu of flowers, our family and some of the Official Push Truck group, which Bill was responsible for bringing together nearly 15 years ago, will pool our flower money and donate it to a deserving racer at the Terre Haute Action Track in honor of Bill Hopton. I am sure he would rather the money go to a race car driver than a florist.

Bill we will all miss you. :13:

Joe Chambers
Official Push Trucks

Re: Sad News, RIP Bill Hopton
 

RIP Bill...you will be missed. Thanks for all that you have done for dirt track racing!

Jim Hayden