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.
Joe Chambers
Official Push Trucks